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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: markie on March 22, 2004, 12:24:00 pm

Title: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 22, 2004, 12:24:00 pm
So is anyone else getting excited about seeing the Decemberists tomorrow?
 
 Who is all going....
 
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
 does anyone want any copies of anything?
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 12:29:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  So is anyone else getting excited about seeing the Decemberists tomorrow?
 
 
Nope, can't say I am.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Venerable Bede on March 22, 2004, 12:30:00 pm
well. . .i should definately be there tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Barcelona on March 22, 2004, 12:32:00 pm
Grandaddy
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: skonster on March 22, 2004, 12:33:00 pm
How about "take down your pantaloons!" ?
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 12:37:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 
 
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
 
How about...."what kind of retarded fucking name is Decemberists?"
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 22, 2004, 12:42:00 pm
Never heckle something you dont want to see. (Why freebird worries me)
 
 I think their name suits them perfectly. Including the mis-spelling/play on words.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 12:44:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  Never heckle something you dont want to see. (Why freebird worries me)
 
 
Is this advice from the hecklemaster?
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 22, 2004, 12:50:00 pm
I'm going, and I'm listening to Clearlake right now...(I've had it for a couple weeks, but am just listening now...cuz I'm a loser).
 
 Are y'all just meeting upstairs before Clearlake?
 
 Don't think I need a thing...how 'bout that?!  
 
 I'm intersted in hearing some of the following:
 Libertines
 The Stills
 Cinerama
 The Distillers
 Weakerthans
 Stellastarr*
 TV on the Radio
 Ballboy
 The Stills
 Rainer Maria
 The Sights
 Beulah
 The Frames
 Electralene
 Metropolitan
 Brian Jonestown Massacre
 
 The same offer holds for me, by the way...
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 22, 2004, 12:51:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
 
 
 
Is this advice from the hecklemaster? [/QB][/QUOTE]
 
 Actually, I think that title may belong to Poorlulu now, after her national recognition and all. But watching a guy take off his clothing on stage is something I have no desire to see.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 22, 2004, 12:53:00 pm
Bags,
 
 I will make you a DVD. Dont mess it up this time  :p .
 
 Oh and dont bring your chatty friends  :p
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: skonster on March 22, 2004, 12:56:00 pm
I missed them last time due to Belle and Sebastian, but am actually looking forward to the show. And the pantaloon comment was all I could come up with.  Something could be made of them singing about chimblysweeps as well - I like them but some of the lyrics are a bit needlessly obscure/archaic.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 01:00:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
 
 
 
Is this advice from the hecklemaster? [/b]
Actually, I think that title may belong to Poorlulu now, after her national recognition and all. But watching a guy take off his clothing on stage is something I have no desire to see. [/QB][/QUOTE]
 
 Ah yes, Queen Gobshite, ruler of all hecklers.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: jkeisenh on March 22, 2004, 01:01:00 pm
methinks i shall attend said fine showing of musical merit.  huzzah!
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 22, 2004, 01:02:00 pm
I really like the obscure lyrics, the same goes for British Sea Power.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: skonster on March 22, 2004, 01:11:00 pm
I missed them last time due to Belle and Sebastian, but am actually looking forward to the show. And the pantaloon comment was all I could come up with.  Something could be made of them singing about chimblysweeps as well - I like them but some of the lyrics are a bit needlessly obscure/archaic.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: ggw on March 22, 2004, 01:26:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
Who the hell is Myla Goldberg??!!
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 22, 2004, 01:27:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  Bags,
 
 I will make you a DVD. Dont mess it up this time   :p  .
 
 Oh and dont bring your chatty friends   :p  
I'm solo on this, so if there's chatting, it's me with myself, and then you can (and should) openly mock me.
 
 I'll have a coupla blank DVDs with me in exchange...thanks.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 22, 2004, 01:29:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
Who the hell is Myla Goldberg??!! [/b]
"Myla's my bitch!"
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 01:45:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
Who the hell is Myla Goldberg??!! [/b]
A Hebrew school teacher???
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: jkeisenh on March 22, 2004, 02:17:00 pm
Myla's the author of "Bee Season," a widely acclaimed novel about spelling bees.  She's originally from Laurel, MD.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 Can anyone think of a better heckle than "how's your camel?"
 
Who the hell is Myla Goldberg??!! [/b]
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 22, 2004, 03:00:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by chimblysweep:
 [QB] Myla's the author of "Bee Season," a widely acclaimed novel about spelling bees.  She's originally from Laurel, MD.
 
 
Quote

 I would've thought a book on that subject would have an author by the name of "Dong Chin" or something.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: brennser on March 23, 2004, 10:38:00 am
I'll be there
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bombay Chutney on March 23, 2004, 10:41:00 am
Me too.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: jkeisenh on March 23, 2004, 10:43:00 am
I'll be there too, but only after standing ackwordly by the door awaiting presale for BSS and Stellastarr*
 
 damn i hate the presale setup at the black cat.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: ggw on March 23, 2004, 12:52:00 pm
present
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 23, 2004, 01:28:00 pm
I am gettting really excited.......
 
 The decemberists were near perfect last time. I hope they play July July or legionnaires lament this time. I think apology song could be good too.....
 
 
 Anybody want any CDs burning?
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: nkotb on March 23, 2004, 02:27:00 pm
I'll be in attendance as well.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: lily1 on March 24, 2004, 01:32:00 am
thoughts? i thought the first half was much better. definite west coast sound, not anything you'd hear on the east coast (but perhaps that a topic of discussion?)
 
 that "oompah oompah" song that reminded me of a cross between a german oompah band and the song that the midgets dance to in willy wonka was painful.
 
 how long did they end up laying for? my ride had to leave after an hour so i missed the ending.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: jkeisenh on March 24, 2004, 09:52:00 am
I thought it was a good, tight show... though I have to agree that I'm not sure about their strategy of putting all the slow (translation: sleepy, especially for 11:30 on a Tuesday!) songs in one part of the show.
 
 The Decemberists have a They Might Be Giants- like sound at a time, what with their goofy lyrics and accordian.  It's nice that they have a sense of humor about things, though.
 
 They're great artists, though, and I think "Red Right Ankle" really showed what the singer had in him.  Though they need to take British Sea Power's cue and get an on-stage owl.  (a must.)
 
 I liked Clearlake (go Wisconsin!) and thought they need a little work but have great potential.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: brennser on March 24, 2004, 10:34:00 am
missed Clearlake
 
 thought the Decemberists were good, maybe not quite as good as the backbar, but good - July July, Leslie Ann Levine and Chimbley sweep were personal favorites
 
 LOVED The Tain which I heard for the first time (cue rant by lulu)   :D  
 
 thanks for the CD bags
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 24, 2004, 10:50:00 am
I thought clearlake were pretty mediocre. I guess I should not have found the loudest two people in the whole of christendom to talk to whilst they were playing.......
 
 I thought the Decemberists were brilliant last night. I really cannot stand the tain though..... (The last 18.34 song at the end of the main set, that sounds like heavy metal). July July was fantastic live. I will have a grin on my face for a week.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bombay Chutney on March 24, 2004, 10:59:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  I thought clearlake were pretty mediocre. I guess I should not have found the loudest two people in the whole of christendom to talk to whilst they were playing.......
 
 I thought the Decemberists were brilliant last night. I really cannot stand the tain though..... (The last 18.34 song at the end of the main set, that sounds like heavy metal). July July was fantastic live. I will have a grin on my face for a week.
I think I was standing near those same people.  The fact that they were talking didn't bother me. It was the fact that they were practically having a conversation by yelling at each other.  I liked Clearlake, but they need more upbeat songs to hold my interest for that long.
 
 I thought the Decemberists were great.  I thought the electric stuff near the end was very refreshing, though I'll admit it went on a little long. Great show though.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bombay Chutney on March 24, 2004, 11:15:00 am
oops - I think I misread your post about the folks you were talking to.  I though you were just standing by some loud people.  I was by some VERY loud people in the back during Clearlake.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 24, 2004, 11:26:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Skeeter:
    I was by some VERY loud people in the back during Clearlake.
Wasnt a guy in a red shirt and thick rimmed black glasses, was it? He could do a sold-out show in the club even in a blackout. Jeez, his voice was loud  ;)
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: ggw on March 24, 2004, 12:01:00 pm
I thought Clearlake was a little disappointing.  I liked Cedars (which seems to be a minority opinion), but it didn't translate well live.  Talkers suck.
 
 The Decemberists were great, even considering Markie didn't heckle them.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 24, 2004, 12:05:00 pm
I kinda heckled.....
 
 the married couple, remember?
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: poorlulu on March 24, 2004, 12:12:00 pm
i really hated the tain part of the show..............talk about bringing the whole thing down.......
 
 i thought the show was excelent though i loved july,july.........
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: ggw on March 24, 2004, 12:16:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  I kinda heckled.....
 
 the married couple, remember?
Heckling other concert-goers doesn't count.
 
 
 The Tain wasn't bad, but it would be better at half the length.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: markie on March 24, 2004, 12:23:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
   
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  I kinda heckled.....
 
 the married couple, remember?
Heckling other concert-goers doesn't count.
 
 
  [/b]
I still got a response from the band.
 
 In the time it took them to play the tain they could have played apology song, legionnaires lament, Myla Goldberg, odalisque and still had time for a fag break.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: mankie on March 24, 2004, 01:41:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
 
Quote
and still had time for a fag break. [/b]
Rhett showed up then!
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 24, 2004, 02:00:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  I thought clearlake were pretty mediocre. I guess I should not have found the loudest two people in the whole of christendom to talk to whilst they were playing.......
Lulu and...ggw?
 
 Oh yeah, you're only loud when you HECKLE!
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 24, 2004, 02:05:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
  missed Clearlake
 
 thought the Decemberists were good, maybe not quite as good as the backbar, but good - July July, Leslie Ann Levine and Chimbley sweep were personal favorites
 
 LOVED The Tain which I heard for the first time (cue rant by lulu)    :)  Sure, hope there's some stuff on it you don't have already.
 
 I liked it better than the backstage show, but that may be due in part to the fact that this time I could see.  Although, the backstage was the first time I'd heard or seen them, and you never forget your first time.    :D  
 
 My observations:
 
 (1) Colin Meloy is like the indie record store clerk you really like (maybe even have a crush on because of those dimples) and you hope, hope, hope he's there when you stop in to browse.  He's cool and geeky in that indie way, but he's the only one who's nice, helpful, supportive and chatty.  He always commends your choices, and gently steers you to something you maybe haven't heard of but should like.  And you just have to buy it because he recommended it.
 
 (2) Do y'all think that the band's sound and songs are all Colin, or was there really some crazy serendipity that brought five kinda cooky yet indie musicians together to make this really original sound?
 
 (3) If you didn't like Decemberists, you'd be quite judgemental of Colin's really strange intonations and pronunciations.  "Isn't he from Portland?'  But I love them, so no judgement here!
 
 (4) That other guitarist looks like he should be in Grandaddy.
 
 (5) I loved the Tain too, but not sure I would dig it on record.  And I might have preferred to hear four other songs.  BUT, I still loved it; thought it was a cool show ender, especially since they were here last just a few months ago.
 
 (6) Upright double basses are cool.
 
 (7) I did not say one word during all of Decemberists.  I sent mental love.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: nkotb on March 24, 2004, 03:06:00 pm
Are you going to let him talk about me like that, Lulu?
 
 I totally agree that the show was fantastic.  While The Tain was a little much to take all in one sitting (especially hearing it for the first time), the rest more than made up for it.  And I had picked up a copy of the Tain EP before the show, so I was really hesitant to listen to it, but turns out I like it MUCH better on record than I do live.  
 
 And it was nice meeting for you for a second, brennser.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Skeeter:
    I was by some VERY loud people in the back during Clearlake.
Wasnt a guy in a red shirt and thick rimmed black glasses, was it? He could do a sold-out show in the club even in a blackout. Jeez, his voice was loud   ;)  [/b]
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: ratioci nation on March 24, 2004, 06:36:00 pm
Almost perfect show by Decemberists, did not even play my favorite song, but I enjoyed every moment of it, especially The Tain.  Did not think they would be better than the backstage show, but it was, wish sound could be that good all the time.
 
 Will probably stay as my choice for best show of the year until April 24th.
 
 I enjoy Clearlake's music, but they were pretty lifeless on stage and people were talking a lot.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 24, 2004, 06:49:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by pollard:
 
 I enjoy Clearlake's music, but they were pretty lifeless on stage and people were talking a lot.
That one guitar player in the red shirt on the audience's left side was like a Disney robotron, moving his mouth along to the words, but not ONE OTHER MUSCLE moved.  I found it hilarious.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: Bags on March 30, 2004, 10:45:00 am
March 30, 2004
 MUSIC REVIEW | THE DECEMBERISTS
 A Band Reveling in 'Pantaloons' and Other Lyrical Mischief
 By KELEFA SANNEH
 The New York Times
 
 Halfway through the Decemberists' sold-out show at the Bowery Ballroom on Friday night, Colin Meloy said, "I'm going to tell you a little story about my upbringing." And then he sang "The Chimbley Sweep," a ridiculous fable about an unloved boy: "I am a chimbley, a chimbley sweep/No bed to lie, no shoes to hold my feet."
 
 Mr. Meloy is an anti-confessionalist: his devotion to artifice is a mischievous response to other singer-songwriters' promises of truth. But these songs never curdle into mere parody. Mr. Meloy has lovingly created his own alternate universe, and he draws his hapless characters with enormous wit and tenderness, even the chimbley sweeps.
 
 He takes boundless pleasure in language, seeming to to rejoice every time he uses a word like "pantaloons" or "pinioned." He also has a thin, hale voice and four resourceful band mates. For "Leslie Anne Levine," about a baby's ghost ("My mother birthed me far too soon/Born at 9 and dead at noon"), the keyboardist switched to accordion, the guitarist switched to pedal steel, and the bassist picked up a bow.
 
 As if to offset the willful obscurity of his lyrics, Mr. Meloy often seizes on bright, sometimes maddeningly catchy tunes. "Billy Liar," from the band's excellent 2003 album, "Her Majesty the Decemberists" (Kill Rock Stars), sets antiquated verse atop a rousing, swinging tune. It must be the most infectious maritime ballad in recent memory.
 
 The Decemberists, based in Portland, Ore., recently released "The Tain" (Acuarela), an 18-minute operetta loosely based â?? or so they say â?? on Celtic mythology. On Friday Mr. Meloy bravely led his troops through a complete version. It is an appealing (if sometimes exhausting) homemade epic, full of intriguing narrative fragments and nimble musical U-turns.
 
 Just when he seemed about to disappear into his own fantasy, Mr. Meloy would casually bring the songs back to earth, suggesting that he wasn't entirely opposed to confessionalism after all. He explained that "July, July!" was about a warehouse he used to live in, and listeners could follow the narrative thread from the mundane to the implausible. The part about the "road that meets the road that goes to my house" sounded autobiographical enough, but what of the "crooked French Canadian" who was "gut-shot runnin' gin"?
 
 At other times Mr. Meloy seemed to be practicing a form of lyrical displacement, coyly hiding familiar feelings behind the unfamiliar scenery. "The Gymnast, High Above the Ground" is full of clever phrases and exotic slang, but the chorus made a simpler sort of sense. "Through the tarlatan holes, you've been slipping, been slipping away," He sang with a sigh, and you didn't have to be an expert in the history of textiles to figure out why he sounded so sad.
Title: Re: Decemberists and Clearlake
Post by: jkeisenh on March 30, 2004, 10:53:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Bags:
   Mr. Meloy has lovingly created his own alternate universe, and he draws his hapless characters with enormous wit and tenderness, even the chimbley sweeps.
 
That's because Chimbley Sweeps RAWK!
   :cool: