#6 The Decemberists

I'm not the most graceful person. Stop being shocked, it's true. I've been known to trip for no apparent reason, aggressively smack my innocent hand against a wide door frame, and one time I came close to giving myself a concussion brushing my teeth. It involved a mouth full of toothpaste foam and a poorly timed sneeze. I don't think you need any more details. Let's just say what most people see as a simple task can be harrowing for me.

So I can identify with a song about making an ass of yourself in front of a bunch of people. The first time I heard The Decemberist's "The Sporting Life" it immediately caught my attention. It's a peppy proclamation of klutziness. In other words, it's a song after my own heart. In concert, front man Colin Meloy described it as semi-autobiographical, from his childhood YMCA days. The song starts with, "I fell on the playing field. The work of an errant heel." The Decemberists paint a picture of a poor kid sprawled on a field, embarrassing his coach, girlfriend, and father. "And father had had such hopes. For a son who would take the ropes. And fulfill all his old athletic aspirations. But apparently now there's some complications."

Here's a short clip from Austin City Limits Festival (2007)

Then there is "I was Meant for the Stage." I love the contrasting aptitude between the two songs. This one is about mastery and being born destined for greatness. The clumsy boy has picked himself off the ground and rebounded quite nicely. It's about knowing what you are capable of achieving and ignoring those who say you won't make it. All along he know he was going to be a star. "Was there ever any doubt?"

The Decemberists website: http://www.decemberists.com/

# 5 Cold War Kids

"That accident left everyone a little shook up."

Cold War Kids were a last minute add to the Austin City Limits festival lineup last year (2007), jumping in when some of the scheduled artists backed out. I was familiar with the name, but didn't think too much of the addition.

Texas is hot. Even in September, it was sweltering. This is a random guy trying to create shade using some fans.

We were wandering around somewhat aimlessly, slightly delirious from the sun, and found a patch of grass to collapse on. It was really dumb luck that it was within earshot of the Cold War Kids. Here is a short recording of St. John at the Austin City Limits Festival:

They are from California and, according to Wikipedia, the band consists of Nathan Willett, Jonnie Russell, Matt Maust, and Matt Aveir. If Wikipedia says so, it must be true.

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but St. John and We Used To Vacation are now two of my favorite songs. I love the use of percussion on St. John, the changing tempo, and the piano riff at the end.

For We Used To Vacation, I love the line that started this post, and how it's never completely explained.

Here is a video from http://www.youtube.com/user/v2italy



10/17/08 A little editing update: I saw them again on 10/14/08 at The Paradise in Boston, MA. They are energetic and entertaining live. I was impressed with how they performed Robbers. They sang with the stage dark and the band shined flashlights out onto the audience. You know, like they were robbers. The other highlight, was St. John.



Cold War Kids MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/coldwarkids
Their website: http://www.coldwarkids.com/