Tag Archives: The Decemberists

Favorite Albums of 2011: Robert Duffy

What a great, interesting year for music consumption. Spotify gave me the ability to discover tons of new music and keep up with the current scene, while iTunes Match allowed me to rediscover music that was collecting dust on my disconnected external hard drive.

My favorite albums of 2011 are filled with the usual suspects that I’ve come to love over the years (Wilco, The Decemberists), but this year, more than ever, are a bunch of bands that are completely new to me. Here’s a list, complete with MP3s, streams, videos, and whatever relevant links I could put together.

Bonus: Spotify playlist featuring all of the albums plus a few others that didn’t make the top 10 cut.

10. The War on Drugs, Slave Ambient

MP3: Come to the City

9. I Break Horses, Hearts

I Break Horses – Winter Beats by Bella Union

8. Alina Simone, Make Your Own Danger

MP3: Glitterati

7. Wild Flag, Wild Flag

MP3: Glass Tambourine

6. tUnE-yArDs, w h o k i l l

MP3: Bizness

5. Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne

Listen: Otis


4. Destroyer, Kaputt

Destroyer – Chinatown

3. The Decemberists, The King is Dead

The Decemberists — Down By The Water

2. Wilco, The Whole Love

Listen: “I Might”

1. Thurston Moore, Demolished Thoughts

MP3: Benediction

Thurston Moore’s most recent solo album is the one that I found myself returning to again and again throughout the year. It’s not the novelty of Thurston using acoustic instruments or playing solo, he’s done it before and always does it well. Instead, I think I have to give credit to Beck for helping produce an album that is warm, lush, enormous and small all at the same time. If Sonic Youth isn’t your thing, that’s okay (you ahole), you still owe it to yourself to give this album a listen.

The December Rule: The Black Keys’ new album might have made this list, but it came out to recently for me to give it a proper place. You may see it in my 2012 favorites, though.

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MP3: The Decemberists Cover R.E.M.’s “Cuyahoga”

MP3: Cuyahoga (R.E.M. cover)

The Decemberists recently covered R.E.M.’s Cuyahogah on a KCRW session. This isn’t the only recent Decemberists/R.E.M. connection: Peter Buck The King is Dead.

The band also announced a second leg of their current tour. Keep reading for all the dates.

February 7, Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO#
February 9, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO#
February 10, Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO#
February 12, The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA#
February 13, House of Blues-San Diego, San Diego, CA#
February 14, Fox Theater, Oakland, CA#
February 18, Paramount Ballroom, Seattle, WA#
February 19, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR#
March 4, Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
March 5, ABC, Glasgow, UK
March 7, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham, UK
March 8, Bristol Academy, Bristol, UK
March 10, Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
March 11, Leeds Academy, Leeds, UK
March 12, De la Warr Pavillion, Bexhill, UK
March 13, Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
March 14, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
March 16, Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
April 16, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO+
April 17, Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha, NE+
April 18, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA+
April 19, Overture Hall, Madison, WI
April 21, Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA+
April 22, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI
April 23, The LC Pavilion, Columbus, OH+
April 25, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI+
April 26, Iroquois Amphitheater, Louisville, KY+
April 27, The Pageant, St. Louis, MO+
April 29, House of Blues, Dallas, TX
April 30, Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre, Austin, TX
May 1, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
May 2, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta, GA+

# with Mountain Man
+ with Justin Townes Earle

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Last Night: The Decemberists in New York + They Just Topped the Billboard Charts

It was basically the 500th time I saw The Decemberists last night, and definitely one of the best. Starting the show off with “California One”, I knew it was going to be special. The band played all over their catalog, making me remember how much I love this band. PS: The new album sounded amazing live.

Speaking of the new record, the band has the #1 album on the Billboard charts selling 93,000 copies. Their last album debuted with 19K, so that’s a big ass jump. PS: Of the 93,000 sold, 65% was digital and 3% vinyl.

Set list from last night’s show after the jump.

California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade
Down By the Water
Rox in the Box
Calamity Song
Red Right Ankle
January Hymn
Don’t Carry It All
All Arise
Won’t Want For Love (Margaret in the Taiga)
The Crane Wife 1 & 2
The Crane Wife 3
The Infanta
16 Military Wives
This is Why We Fight

Encore 1:
The Chimbley Sweep
The Mariner’s Revenge Song

Encore 2:
June Hymn

(via Decemb msg board)

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The Decemberists with Gillian Welch on Conan

I’m seeing them in New York on my birthday. Keep reading for complete tour dates.

January 25, Beacon Theatre, New York, NY* SOLD OUT
January 26, Beacon Theatre, New York, NY* TICKETS
January 28, House of Blues, Boston, MA* TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM ET)
January 29, House of Blues, Boston, MA* TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM ET)
January 31, Olympia De Montreal, Montreal, Canada* TICKETS
February 1, Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada* TICKETS
February 2, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI* TICKETS (onsale today 5PM ET)
Feburary 4, Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL* TICKETS (onsale Saturday 12PM CT)
February 5, Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, WI# TICKETS
February 6, State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN# TICKETS (onsale Saturday 12PM CT)
February 7, Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO# TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM CT)
February 9, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO# TICKETS
February 10, Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO# TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM MT)
February 12, The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA# TICKETS
February 13, House of Blues-San Diego, San Diego, CA# TICKETS (onsale today 12PM PT)
February 14, Fox Theater, Oakland, CA# TICKETS (onsale Sunday 10AM PT)
February 18, Paramount Ballroom, Seattle, WA# TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM PT)
February 19, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR# TICKETS (onsale Saturday 10AM PT)

* with Wye Oak
# with Mountain Man

March 4, Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland TICKETS
March 5, ABC, Glasgow, UK TICKETS
March 7, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham, UK TICKETS
March 8, Bristol Academy, Bristol, UK TICKETS
March 10, Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK TICKETS
March 11, Leeds Academy, Leeds, UK TICKETS
March 13, Trix, Antwerp, Belgium TICKETS
March 14, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands TICKETS
March 16, Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK TICKETS

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Photos: Black Prairie, Nick Jaina, Alwood Sisters

Black Prairie (feat. members of the Decemberists)
w/ Nick Jaina, The Alwood Sisters
Kobo I Columbus, OH
Oct. 23, 2010

Black Prairie


Alwood Sisters

Nick Jaina

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Saturday in Columbus: Black Prairie

YouTube Preview Image

MP3: Black Prairie – Blackest Crow

Black Prairie — featuring 3/5 of the Decemberists — play Kobo on Saturday night with the Alwood Sisters and Nick Jaina. Tickets here.

Debut album Feast of the Hunters’ Moon is out now on Sugar Hill Records.

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The Decemberists in Columbus 2009 Poster by Clinton Reno

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Clinton Reno has done every poster for The Decemberists in Columbus, dating back from their two shows at Little Brother’s that donewaiting.com booked (that seems forever ago). Click here to purchase the new poster for just $20.

I especially love how he drew Shara Wardon of My Brightest Diamond, who is part of this tour and album:

detail

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Blind Pilot Opening for The Decemberists in Columbus

blindpilot

MP3: Go On Say It by Blind Pilot

Blind Pilot are opening for The Decemberists on Monday in Columbus. Their orchestral, rustic music will be a a perfect fit to start off the show.

Just back from a European tour with the Counting Crows, the band is opening a string of shows for The Decemberists including a spot at Lollapalooza. Their star is definitely rising.

Keep reading for all upcoming Blind Pilot dates.

5/29/09 – Riverside Theater w/ The Decemberists – Milwaukee, WI
5/30/09 – The Vollrath – Indianapolis, IN
5/31/09 – Pageant w/ The Decemberists – St Louis, MO
6/01/09 – Lifestyle Communities Pavillion w/ The Decemberists – Columbus, OH
6/03/09 – Tabernacle w/ The Decemberists – Atlanta, GA
6/04/09 – Memorial Auditorium w/ The Decemberists – Raleigh, NC
6/05/09 – The National w/ The Decemberists – Richmond, VA
6/06/09 – Bowery Ballroom – New York City, NY
6/07/09 – Black Cat – Washington D.C.
6/09/09 – Johnny Brendas – Philadelphia, PA
6/10/09 – TT the Bears – Cambridge, MA
6/11/09 – II Motore – Monteral, CANADA
6/12/09 – El Mocambo – Toronto, CANADA
6/13/09 – Mohawk’s Place – Buffalo, NY
6/14/09 – Pike Room – Pontiac, MI
6/16/09 – High Noon – Madison, WI
6/17/09 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN
7/17/09 – Marymoor Amphitheater (w/ The Decemberists) – Redmond, WA
7/18/09 – Edgefield Amphitheater w/ The Decemberists – Troutdale, OR
7/19/09 – Edgefield Amphitheater w/ The Decemberists – Troutdale, OR
7/21/09 – Vogue Theater w/ The Decemberists – Vancouver, BC, CANADA
7/22/09 – Vogue Theater w/ The Decemberists – Vancouver, BC, CANADA
8/07/09 – Lollapalooza @ Grant Park – Chicago, IL
8/10/09 – KY Brown Theater w/ The Decemberists – Louisville, KY
8/28/09 – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival @ Golden Gate Park – San Francisco, CA
8/29/09 – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival @ Golden Gate Park – San Francisco, CA
8/30/09 – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival @ Golden Gate Park – San Francisco, CA

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Causes 2 Darfur Benefit Album Features Diplo, RJD2, Decemberists

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Waxploitation has released another awesome benefit album for Darfur featuring a lot of donewaiting.com favorites. 100% of the profits from the release go to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America. Order the album here.

Tracklisting:

1: Black Moth Super Rainbow – Happy Melted City
2: The Decemberists – After the Bombs (Live Version)
3: Devendra Banhart – White Reggae Troll
4: Diplo – Wassup Wassup (Exclusive Samim Remix)
5: Federico Aubele – Luna Y Sol
6: Gnarls Barkley – Mystery Man
7: LCD Soundsystem – Starry Eyes Original (Causes Exclusive)
8: My Morning Jacket – Highly Suspicious (exclusive VHS or Beta Dee Jays Remix)
9: Matthew Dear – When She Don’t Need Me (Causes Exclusive)
10: Mum – Asleep in a Hiding Place
11: Neon Neon – I Lust U Feat. Cate Le Bon (DJ Eli Escobar Remix)
12: Richard Swift – Wastin’ M’Time
13: RJD2 – Wherever
14: Sharon Jones & Dap-Kings – It Hurts to be Alone
15: Tim & Eric – Petite Feet (Exclusive Devlin & Ghostdad Remix Feat. Sylvia Gordon)

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SXSW 2009 Day 1: Elvis Perkins, Andrew Bird, The Decemberists (again)

The first full day of SXSW music has passed and I have the aching feet to prove it. Watching music from 12pm to 1:30am is hard work people, but I do it for you.

The day started at the Austinist party with Garotas Suecas, a band made up a bunch of 19 year old Brazilian kids. Garagey, fun, it was a great way to start the day. After them I only caught one song from Here We Go Magic, the new band featuring Luke Temple. I liked what I heard, and I’m going to try to catch an entire set by them this week. I blame my first time drinking absinthe as the reason for f’ing up my schedule.

I left the Austinist event and went to Little Radio’s show and caught The Whispertown 2000 who rocked out a lot more than I expected. After them was the Evangelicals. For some reason I’ve let Evangelicals pass me by all this time, and now I want to dig into their albums. Drenched in a blissful blanket of feedback, making an impact even though they were only able to perform 4 songs.

Scheduling issues made me miss Amanda Palmer, my first :( of the week.

I went back to Austinist’s show to see Elvis Perkins in Dearland, and they blew my mind. Perkins has a huge band with him, and they sounded great. Sometimes they reminded me of Beirut, other times AA Bondy. I took a video of one of the songs and you can see it here.

Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady is awesome solo. I’ve got proof:

I was fortunate to get invited to the Austin City Limits taping of Andrew Bird. I love ACL and I love Andrew Bird, so for me it was a perfect combination. And man, like the volunteers of SXSW, the ACL volunteers are so friendly. Right before you walk into the studio, there are two tables of free beer for you to take into the taping. Let me tell you, you do not get this kind of service at a Letterman taping. The set began with an amazing performance of “Why?” and kept on going for well over an hour. I won’t spoil the set list for you, but you definitely need to tune in when it airs.

Photo of the set:

photo

I ended the night at Stubb’s. I first caught The Avett Brothers, which I am not too sure about. Is it weird that they sort of reminded me of System of a Down?

And like Tuesday night, I once again ended SXSW with The Decemberists. This time, though, they performed their new album, The Hazards of Love, from start to finish .. without stopping! It wasn’t until the encore that Colin Meloy actually addressed the crowd. It was a marathon performance, and I loved hearing the new stuff live. Stand outs were “The Rake Song” and My Brightest DIamond’s Shara Worden.

NOTES
- I’m in a rush to my blogger panel (today at 11AM) so there isn’t links to bands. I’ll add them later. I’ll fix some grammar too.
- Don’t worry, no more Decemberists performances.

Posted in SXSW Blog | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments