Decemerists performing Hazards of Love at the State Theater

Whether you dig the Decemberists recent concept album The Hazards of Love or not, if you were to see the live performance they would make you believers. Last night was one of the last performaces of the entire album and we were in attendance. While it was essentially the same show from the Rock the Garden performance from this past summer, seeing them at the glorious State Theater felt appropriate. You could've even purchased a playbill for the show, giving it a true theatrical feel.

After finishing up Hazards, they came out for a brief set of some of their other material, including Billy Liar, The Sporting Life, O Valenica, and b-side Everything I Do Nothing Seems To Turn Out Right. They capped their first encore off with a cover of Heart's "Crazy On You", with Shara and Becky sharing lead vocal duties. The ladies belted out a great rendition leaving all in attendance wanting more. Colin obliged came back out for one more turn, playing a nice, pretty little solo tune. The evening commenced with one of their best, the Crane Wife finale Sons and Daughters, inviting opener Laura Veirs on stage for the singalong.

Below are some shots from the show. Also check out the video from The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid. Shara is clearly the star of this album, and this shows you why.

Built to Spill at First Ave on 9/24

Last week I had the privilege to see Built to Spill at First Ave. This was the 5th time I've gotten to see them, and the third time at First Ave alone. Each show at First Ave has gotten better and better. This time was certainly no exception. The set list covered pretty much their entire catalog and didn't favor one album over another. If you have ever been to a really great concert, you know what I am talking about when there is that moment in one song in particular that you know is coming and you are waiting for it, and when it comes your heart skips a couple beats and the whole crowd, as well as the band, is just loving life at that moment, and it is just perfect. That moment occurred during Carry The Zero from my favorite album of theirs "Keep It Like A Secret" at precisely the 3:59 to mark of the song. I love this band, and will see them every opportunity I get. Below are a couple shots I took from my phone as well as the set list. Also if you didn't notice I put there new album as my spotlight album, as I have now listened to it for the 2nd time in a row and already feel like it is their strongest since Keep It Like A Secret.




Set List - Song Title (Album)

Liar (You In Reverse)
Nowhere Nothin Fuckup (Ultimate Alternative Wavers)
Dystopian Dream Girl (There's Nothing Wrong With Love)
Virginia Reel Around The Fountain (Live)
Gone (You In Reverse)
Hindsight (There Is No Enemy)
Stop The Show (Perfect From Now On)
Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss (Ancient Melodies of the Future)
Stab (There's Nothing Wrong With Love)
Oh Yea (There Is No Enemy)
Conventional Wisdom (You In Reverse)
Carry The Zero (Keep It Like A Secret)

Encore

Time Trap (Keep It Like A Secret)
Big Dipper (There's Nothing Wrong With Love)
Untrustable Pt. 2 (Perfect From Now On)

A New Day

It is a new day for everybody's favorite blog. No longer will La Bodega be confined to merely posting about concert reviews and the occasional album review. Truth is I don't go to as many concerts as I used to, and I have had an itch to start blogging about meaningless stuff that most people dont' care about. Come to think of it, the kind of things most people care about IS meaningless stuff, but I digress...

Anyway, I thought I would give this little blog of mine a fresh new start. Sure every now and then you might see a review of a show I went to recently, or an album I formed a mindless opinion about thanks to all the other reviews about that same album I will read. But you might also learn about what I had for dinner the night before, what some jackass did on the commute home from work, or what my much more successful siblings and wife are up to.

Additionally, with a fresh start comes a fresh new name. Expect La Bodega to have a smashing new name in the near future. Hell, I might even think of one tonight.

So there you have it. Spread the word. The blog formally known as La Bodega is hitting the town and is back in the game. Expect to see me wherever you go - in pop-up ads, on billboards, in TV commercials. I'm back baby, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!!