photo credit: Wolinetz
I’m a big fan of most everything The Decemberists do. I thin Colin Meloy is one of the better songwriters out there these days and the Decemberists as a band have become one of the most consistent live acts around in recent years as well. I should also note that I generally hate live albums, with a few notable exceptions. So, with mixed feelings I began to listen recently to the upcoming album from Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, Colin Meloy Sing Live! The album is a collection of live material from Meloy’s 2006 solo tour.

I gotta say though, its really worth your time and attention, especially if you are a Decemberists fan. The album is made up mostly of Decemberists tunes, with a few covers and rarities mixed in as well. I think what I really like about it the most though, is what I like the most about live shows in general, good in between songs banter. And the album has just enough of it to make you feel like you are right there at the show. Or as Colin says, “at a campfire singalong” during one of the first examples of chatty banter on the album. Some favorites from the record include the Decemberists gems, “Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect”, “Red Right Ankle”, (which he intros as a “little country and western number”) “The Engine Driver” and the hilarous tune, “Draculas Daughter”, which Meloy intros as the worst song he ever wrote.

The album is due out April 8th on Kill Rock Stars. Check out this tune from the record.

Colin Meloy – We Both Go Down Together