Other Lives with The Decemberists

I know, I know once again I'm featuring a sold-out concert but I really want y'all to check out this band, Other Lives. They're opening for The Decemberists tomorrow night at Stubb's and I REALLY like their new album. Tamer Animals is the name of the new Other Lives LP and you can buy it next week on iTunes or on May 10th in real life. I was sent a review copy and I've been listening to it all week. To me, the album is delicate, layered wintery music that sounds moody and textured. The production nods to both The Beatles and the Beach-Boys at points but it doesn't sound referential or trite either. I'm sure that the album will be compared to Fleet Foxes, possibly Bon Iver or any other modern artist taking old sounds and refreshing them. The fact that Other Lives and Radiohead are signed to the same label should speak volumes about the future of this, Oklahoma-based, band. Not to mention the fact that they've toured in support of The National and now The Decemberists. These guys are NOT messing around y'all!

You can check out a song from Tamer Animals for free. It's called For 12 and it's the third (of 11) song on the upcoming album. THe below video is UNOFFICIAL but I really love this track and wanted y'all to hear it.


Other Lives - Dust Bowl III video via YouTube


The Decemberists are touring in support of their newest, and most successful, album, The King is Dead. They've always been wordy, clever and historically referencing but this album sees the band reaching a wider audience than ever before. Those of us who have been fans all along can attest to the fact that The Decemberists have not compromised their sound or dumbed-down their lyrics in the least it has just taken the general populace almost a decade to catch on. The band's Austin stop is the last one before they hit New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival so I'm hoping they really mix up the set list to crowd-test what works best in anticipation of a shorter set time in NoLa. Only time will tell though.


The Decemberists - This Is Why We Fight video via YouTube

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the Decemberists in Georgetown, TX?

I was surprised to hear that the Decemberists will be nearby soon. It's not so surprising that they will be in town, it's that they are going to be in Georgetown. For those of you outside of Austin, Georgetown is an upscale little town Northeast of Austin but 20--30 minutes. The Decemberists are actually playing at Southwestern University, which is located in Georgetown. Tickets have been on sale to the public since October 7th but the actual show is happening this Thursday, the 30th.

I heard the newest single from the Decemberists on the radio tonight, it's called Valerie Plame and it will appear on their upcoming album called Always the Bridesmaid Vol:1. All I can really tell you about the new song is it is pretty somber and you can check it out on the band's MySpace.

If you're, somehow, unfamiliar with the Decemberists I've collected a sort of greatest hits video collection after the jump.


These aren't necessarily in any sort of order but this first video is a 10-minute mini-movie. Check it out:


the Decemberists - O Valencia! video via YouTube


the Decemberists - 16 Military Wives video via YouTube

This is one of my favorite songs by the Decemberists and it was hard to find a video that captures it well. I consider this music for a winter day:


the Decemberists - Engine Driver video via YouTube

Can I just say there are a LOT of crappy homemade Decemberists videos on YouTube including like a thousand crappy cover versions with people on acoustic guitars. I thought this crappy homemade video, at least, fit the Decemberists general visual aesthetics:


the Decemberists - the Sporting Life video via YouTube

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