Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live!

Release Date: April 8, 2008

Label: Kill Rock Stars

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Colin Meloy does not seem like the type of musician to put out a live album. After all, the live album pantheon is not filled with recordings by musicians who are offbeat and overtly literary — and that is exactly what makes “Colin Meloy Sings Live!” special.

Many live albums lean too heavily upon the fact they were recorded live, most often by emphasizing applause and audience sing-alongs, instead of focusing on the music. The finished products are frequently gimmicky and favor ambience over performance.

Fortunately, “Sings Live!” proves to be of different stock.

Though the audience members are vocal in their appreciation for Meloy, the frontman of the Decemberists, they are equally content to sit back in hushed reverie, instead of bursting into applause whenever a favorite song is performed.

Of course, the nature of Meloy’s music is not likely to cause many strong bursts of excitement. His song catalogue is filled with long, carnivalesque ballads, detailing the sordid affairs of rogues, knaves and wenches, as opposed to short, catchy pop numbers. Meloy understands this and plays it to his advantage in the live setting.

Early on, Meloy expresses his intention to evoke the aura of a campfire, in order to set the mood for his musical storytelling. He then leans into his vast reservoir of story-songs, mostly from his work with the Decemberists, occasionally throwing in a cover (“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Barbara Allen” by Shirley Collins and “Ask” by the Smiths).

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Meloy also pokes fun at himself by performing “Dracula’s Daughter,” a song he claims to be his worst. Mocking his own work, he laughs, “It makes one want to retire and be, like, a college professor or something,” before cutting a few bars into the droll song, “You think you got it bad? Try having Dracula for your dad.”

And in “Wonder,” Meloy’s own lyrics perfectly sum up his unique talent, “It’s weird but mostly wonderful.”

Overall, “Colin Meloy Sings Live!” maintains a very intimate and minimalist mood. Though aided by two backup musicians, Meloy’s acoustic guitar and nasally resonant voice take center stage as he paints his idiosyncratic word pictures, giving the album a very personal feel, one lacking in many live albums.

Devin Vaughn can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or [email protected].