A CAUTIONARY TALE: Okay, seriously. Which one of you did not tell me about the Decemberists? Because there's now this Decemberist-shaped hole in the music I should have been listening to the past few years. I'm not happy about this. Fess up.
See: Pop Culture Happy Hour's Cultural Blind Spots.
I was actually a latecomer to The Decemberists as well. I remember a bunch of my friends went to one of their shows back in high school (probably six to eight years ago), but I begged off because I didn't know the band. That particular show ending up being infamous, for a short time, because it took place during an awfulk windstorm that damaged a lot of cars in the parking lot.
I bought the new album (The King is Dead) in last month's Amazon $5 sale, and have been listening to it on repeat at work this week. Love it. I'm embarassed to say that I've lived in Portland for five years now, and it's the first bit of their work I've owned (or listened to extensively, for that matter). I do not blame the good people here - I'm not sure what took me so long to come around.
Also on my to-do list, read Wildwood, the lead singer's new YA book.
Colin Meloy's sister is Maile Meloy, author of the very good book "Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It" (which was the recipient of the Maret's Favorite Book Title of 2009 Award (which is very prestigious.))
I apologize. I also apologize to Russ for not telling him about something. I can't remember what I forgot to tell him but he remembered so he won't forget.
Count me late to the party as well - and I caught the same $5 train last week. They were on the "To Do" list after I heard the Brian Ibbot Lyrics Undercover show, but after listening to The King is Dead for a couple of days, I rushed out to my local record store and picked up The Crane Wife. My wife calls it hippie music, but I have a track from the 2010 Bonnaroo sampler that's a little harder and she likes much better, so I'll be picking up Hazards of Love soon.
On the Coldplay front, I would absolutely recommend the free download of LeftRightLeftRightLeft.
This post represents my failure to alert TPE that the Decemberists are awesome in concert, even from the nosebleeds. It's a pity that I shall likely never remember to tell him that, live, they are full of verve, energy, power, and humor. Alas. If only this blog permitted me to alert people to the bands that I really like.
I shall try to drown my sorrow in a session of listening to the new Feist, Wilco, and Indigo Girls CDs, perhaps accompanied by research into when I might anticipate getting new Neko Case, New Pornographers, and Kelly Hogan music.
It was spaceboy. He's been listening to The Decemberists for over half his life, and he has never, to my knowledge, informed you. Sorry. He would also like to make sure there will be no such problems with his current favorite band, The New Pornographers.
It was Isaac. He has never, ever posted about the Decemberists here.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I thought it might be.
ReplyDeleteSee: Pop Culture Happy Hour's Cultural Blind Spots.
ReplyDeleteI was actually a latecomer to The Decemberists as well. I remember a bunch of my friends went to one of their shows back in high school (probably six to eight years ago), but I begged off because I didn't know the band. That particular show ending up being infamous, for a short time, because it took place during an awfulk windstorm that damaged a lot of cars in the parking lot.
I bought the new album (The King is Dead) in last month's Amazon $5 sale, and have been listening to it on repeat at work this week. Love it. I'm embarassed to say that I've lived in Portland for five years now, and it's the first bit of their work I've owned (or listened to extensively, for that matter). I do not blame the good people here - I'm not sure what took me so long to come around.
ReplyDeleteAlso on my to-do list, read Wildwood, the lead singer's new YA book.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/books/review/wildwood-by-colin-meloy-book-review.html
TPE, this might have been what put you onto them in the first place, but if not: Colin Meloy was on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" a few weeks back and did a very nice job. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/17/140532512/the-decemberists-colin-meloy-plays-not-my-job
ReplyDeleteColin Meloy's sister is Maile Meloy, author of the very good book "Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It" (which was the recipient of the Maret's Favorite Book Title of 2009 Award (which is very prestigious.))
ReplyDeleteAnd... the paperback is on sale for $6 at Amazon, so I'll have it this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up on Coldplay. I feel like I have no excuse for missing everything they released after "Rush of Blood to the Head" ...
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think it will take me a long time to ease out of my Indie-Emo-Northeastern-Punk-Pop band phase. (The Movielife!!)
I apologize. I also apologize to Russ for not telling him about something. I can't remember what I forgot to tell him but he remembered so he won't forget.
ReplyDeleteCount me late to the party as well - and I caught the same $5 train last week. They were on the "To Do" list after I heard the Brian Ibbot Lyrics Undercover show, but after listening to The King is Dead for a couple of days, I rushed out to my local record store and picked up The Crane Wife. My wife calls it hippie music, but I have a track from the 2010 Bonnaroo sampler that's a little harder and she likes much better, so I'll be picking up Hazards of Love soon.
ReplyDeleteOn the Coldplay front, I would absolutely recommend the free download of LeftRightLeftRightLeft.
An amusing cover of theirs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19uFC3KqR8M
ReplyDeleteThat was The Nerdist podcast.
ReplyDeleteThis post represents my failure to alert TPE that the Decemberists are awesome in concert, even from the nosebleeds. It's a pity that I shall likely never remember to tell him that, live, they are full of verve, energy, power, and humor. Alas. If only this blog permitted me to alert people to the bands that I really like.
ReplyDeleteI shall try to drown my sorrow in a session of listening to the new Feist, Wilco, and Indigo Girls CDs, perhaps accompanied by research into when I might anticipate getting new Neko Case, New Pornographers, and Kelly Hogan music.
It was spaceboy. He's been listening to The Decemberists for over half his life, and he has never, to my knowledge, informed you. Sorry. He would also like to make sure there will be no such problems with his current favorite band, The New Pornographers.
ReplyDeleteI truly admire your parenting.
ReplyDelete