Remember when you used to be able to see The Decemberists for twelve bucks? Those days are long behind us, but popularity thankfully hasn't sullied the quality of the Portland band's albums.
Their recently-released The Hazards Of Love is by far their most ambitious project. Partly inspired, one would assume, by their flirtation with the opus form on The Tain EP, The Hazards Of Love is one giant, hour long song. Described by some as a rock opera, it features three different singers—the Decemberists' Meloy and two recruited chanteuses—playing four roles in a tumultuous story of forbidden love.
Staying true to the project as conceived, The Decemberists played two sets on this night at the Kool Haus. The first was a near-perfect rendering of The Hazards Of Love, in its entirety, with full drama and no breaks. It can't have been an easy feat, but Meloy barely broke a sweat. Anyone who likes this album needs to see it performed live.
After a ten-minute break, The Decemberists returned for a full set of old favourites (including "The Crane Wife 3," "The Sporting Life" and "Sons & Daughters"). They also knocked off two new numbers that sounded pretty boss.
Not many summer concerts will have a chance at topping this one.
(5/5)
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