The Decemberists

The Decemberists at Sheffield Leadmill, Fri 02 Feb

Review by Rob Webb

As strange as it seems now, there was a time when I never thought I'd get on with The Decemberists...»

Leadmill

One of Sheffield's biggest gig venues/night clubs. Situated a few minutes walk from the train and bus stations on Leadmill Road.

Gigs here are sometimes over 18 only, so it's worth checking age restrictions on the website before you leave.»

The Decemberists

Colin Meloy - vocals, guitars
Chris Funk - guitars, pedal steel
Nate Query - electric/stand-up bass
Jenny Conlee - vocals, keyboards, accordian
John Moen - drums, percussion

The Decemberists don't inhabit the same world as you I - theirs is one of gnarled seamen, Spanish child monarchs, roustabouts, vagabonds and all manner of social oddities. With a style that veers from hazy folk to rollicking indie pop, they are guided by the bespectacled Colin Meloy, a songwriter with a love of language, permanently transfixed by literary antiquity.

Their life began with the self-released 5 Songs EP in 2001 which was then put out by Hush Records a year later. In 2002 the release of their first full length, Castaways & Cutouts would cement a relationship with Kill Rock Stars who would come to release Her Majesty, The Decemberists in 2003 and Picaresque in 2005. The Tain EP, a 20 minute adaptation of an Irish folk tale, was also released in 2004 on Spanish label, Acuarela. Their fourth full-length, The Crane Wife was released in late 2006.