The Decemberists
November 12, 2006
First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
Amidst a relentless red lighted tinge, a sold out First Avenue crowd milled around the Minneapolis venue last night – sporting unnecessary scarves and thick rimmed Buddy Holly glasses while and sucking down Newcastle and Heineken like it wasn’t a school night.

Ironically, Portland’s favorite indie rocker would’ve called in sick if he could’ve.

“I’m sorry, but I’m feeling under the weather tonight,” said group frontman slash lyrical genius Colin Meloy before launching into the “Crane Wife 1 & 2,” the title track from the group’s fourth full length album (out in October on Capitol Records).

Then after wrapping the song, as if on cue, Meloy mysteriously runs offstage, leaving drummer John Moen onstage to lead the crowd in an impromptu version of “You Are My Sunshine” as we imagine the adjectives Meloy must know for the word vomit (retch, eructate, disgorge, etc.).

But like a true performer, Meloy was brusquely back on stage to knock down crowd favorites from Her Majesty and Castaways and Cutouts. My favorite song of the evening was assuredly, “The Island-Come & See/The Landlord’s Daughter/You’ll Not Feel The Drowning” – a 12.5 minute Jethro Tullified indie masterpiece, and shining example that major labeldom hasn’t incurred wrath by bayonet upon the bespectacled bunch.

Be sure to read about the Nov. 14 show in Denver, and Nov. 16 show in Missoula, as well as the rest of the tour at the Filter Magazine Tour Zine.