Decemberists love in December

I mentioned in earlier posts that I was not going to post a top ten albums of the year. First because it's impossible to pick the best after not hearing nearly all the albums that have come out, and secondly because they are repetitive and all the same (more or less) all around the blogosphere. But I wanted to take a minute and talk about a band that has brought me much joy over the past year. You can call them my band of the year if you must stick a label on it.

The Decemberists are popping up on many top 10's and 20's around the web but no one is giving them enough love. (well Stereogum has.) I was lucky enough to see them twice this year. Both shows were amazing and it was some of the most fun I have ever had a show. Fun at a show? Imagine that. A show that actually made you jump and around and dance as opposed to standing with your arms crossed judging everyone and everything around you. The second show had one of the best concert moments in recent memory. A member from the Pogues came out to play accordian with the group. During the middle of the song they got the song really really quiet but it didn't end. Then one by one all the band members laid on the ground, still keeping the beat though. Even the drummer was on the ground but keeping one arm up to tap the symbol.

Then Colin Meloy (lead singer) told everyone else to sit down. If you can imagine 1,000 sitting down at once that's what it was like. Then Colin sang some lines and the band shot up and got the song going again as everyone in the crowed jumped up and we went ape shit. I know that past description seems like it was written by a giddy 14 year old, but that's how it felt like. It was simply incredble. So thank you Decemberists for many great memories and a great album in '05. Who would of thunk that this little band from Portland would top shows from Spoon, Broken Social Scene, and Spoon for me?

Merry f'n Xmas and all that junk. I actually went to church last night. No, not because I wanted too. Maybe I'll talk about it in another post. Or maybe I'll just keep it to myself so I don't offend anyone.