The Decemberists is a band that doesn’t fit neatly into one genre. They have been described as indie pop, alternative rock, indie folk, and baroque rock. Their 2009 concept album, “The Hazards of Love,” even branched into metal and prog rock. Their set at Mission Ballroom late last month, following closely on the heels of their latest album’s release in June, had the comfortable feel of a band playing in their living room for a bunch of friends.
Frontman Colin Meloy is a masterful story-teller who takes inspiration from folk songs of the late 1800s/early 1900s. The hyper-literate singer/songwriter often references historical figures and events in his lyrics. In fact, the band took its name from the Decembrist Revolt, a failed rebellion against the Russian czar in 1825. Although their sound can’t be pigeonholed, death is almost always a theme throughout the band’s nine studio albums.
On their brand new album, “As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again,” Meloy sings about meeting a friend in a cemetery (on the track “Burial Ground”), and a bride who dies on her wedding day (on “Long White Veil”), and the track “The Reapers” draws parallels between the mowing of fields and the reaping of human souls. “Don’t Go to the Woods” warns a girl not to let desire lead her to be dragged down and crushed under the heels of the broken boys. My favorite track, “Oh No!” pairs a swing beat with somber lyrics such as “You won’t feel so loose with a noose ‘round your neck // When those cold winter winds start to blow.” The album closes with an 18+ minute prog rock epic titled “Joan in the Garden,” a reference to Joan of Arc. Meloy has described it as “darkness you can dance to.”
The show was packed with fans who sang along to tracks old and new. The stage was decorated with greenery and backdrop screens covered with floral murals which helped soften the large warehouse-like space. Meloy and bandmates Jenny Conlee (keyboards, accordion backing vocals), Chris Funk (guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, saxophone), Nate Query (electric and upright bass) and John Moen (drums) were joined by touring members Lizzy Ellison (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals) and Victor Nash (trumpet, keyboards).
Meloy chatted between songs and, at one point, teased fans who had bought albums at the merch table about holding them throughout the show. He also mentioned playing years ago at the Lion’s Lair with a broken PA system (which answered a question I’ve long wondered, do bands really remember all the cities they’ve played in or do shows start to blend together?)
In addition to five tracks from “As It Ever Was,” the band played songs from each of their previous albums. Every song was a world unto itself and the narrative flow never felt jarring or contrived. When Meloy sang “I Was Meant for the Stage,” it was a fitting end to the set. It was another great show by The Decemberists, a band whose music transports listeners to another place and time, and yes, sometimes you can dance to it.
Live photos by Jorge Espinosa and Circumnavikate
0 comments