In House #1747: The Decemberists Play Missoula; New Voxtrot

Colin Meloy and his merry band of Decemberists embark upon the final leg of their Rout of the Patagons Tour with a performance tonight in Meloy's old stomping grounds, Missoula, MT. As you may recall, Meloy fronted the short-lived Tarkio in Missoula in the late 90's while attending the University of Montana before moving on to bigger things in Portland. The Crane Wife, of course marks the band's latest effort and first under Capitol's major label banner. Far from dumbing their sound down for a more radio-ready, masses-gathering appeal, The Decemberists may have upped the bookish ante even more, basing the three part title-track on an ancient Japanese folk-tale. Add to that "The Island," a twelve-minute mini-suite, and songs unexpectedly bursting with proggish rhythms and previously uncool instrumentation, and you've got their most ambitious work to date. Scottish singer-songwriter Alasdair Roberts opens.

The Decemberists

In House #1747.
Airdate: 11/16/06
Focus: The Decemberists with Alasdair Roberts in Missoula, MT tonight, plus new music from Voxtrot, Laura Gibson, Herman Dune, and more.

BONUS MP3s-
The Decemberists: "A Cautionary Song (LIVE)" (MP3)
...and the Tower Records bonus track, from The Crane Wife:
"Culling of the Fold" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #209

(Ed. note: watch this space tomorrow for a complete review of The Decemberists in Missoula.)