Lunch of Champions

The Decemberists | “The Hazards of Love”

So roughly two months after “The Rake’s Song” hit local airwaves, the album on which that ditty is apart of  arrived 10 days ago.  I have been listening  intently to The Hazards of Love ever since, contemplating the phenomenon that is The Decemberists. As a fan of literature and historic themes, I must say how fond I am of a band that can devote itself completely to myths, stories, and the inner thoughts of fictional characters. In the world of  indie rock that is so rife with navel-gazing lyrics, this is a breath of fresh air — something that happens far too seldom in my opinion. Each album of the Portland band (named after an obscure historical event itself) is a piece of period theater, communicating both on narrative and thematic levels with every aspect of the music.  People, behold: the use of harpsichord!  This is the orgasm of the imagination, and we should be so lucky to hear it in our lifetimes…

Even though their next tour does not include a date in the Twin Cities (the closest city being Milwaukee), they will be one of the headliners at Rock the Garden, a one day smorgasbord of indie music on Saturday,  June 20 hosted by the Current.