The Decemberists

I know this is a way delayed but I went to the Decemberists show last week on Thursday. I have to say, that though I like them alot, they went up even another notch in my books that night. It could have been the crowd I was with; they weren't the usual shoe gazer indie-rock hipsters that normally go to shows with me. Instead, they were fast drinking, quick witted, moderately crazy people. The show itself, though, was alot of fun. We saw them this year in a venue that was four times bigger than the venue last year, and a bajillion times bigger than the time before that. Perhaps it was the bigger crowd egging them on, but their antics were in full force that night.
It was the second time I saw them performing with their newest member, Petra Haden, and I have to say she added alot....regardless of the fact that I have an insufferable crush on her (see previous gushing post). But the banter with her and Colin Meloy was pretty humorous, and Colin was able to explore his more theatrical and histrionic side. Sure, he forgot some words, but his gaffs were endearing since he had already won the crowd over. They even invited a bunch of the audience on stage to dance with them. Overall, they didn't play what I'd call a tight set, but their songs created an atmosphere of fun and lightheartedness. It made the entire experience quite fun and everyone was fairly sad to see them leave. I think this was the best show of the five that I've seen of them....Giant whale, broken mandolin, and all.
After the show, we got to hang out with Nate, the bass player, at a local bar. He was incredibly nice and he was telling us stories about growing up with one of our friends. Then I proceeded to make him uncomfortable by talking about how I love the band and I've been to every show of theirs in Madison and how I saw them at intonation and oh my, wasn't it hot that day and I am completely into pirates and that I had a huge crush on Petra in college and I heard she's single and why don't I sneak onto the bus and *gasp*...it went on for what I'm sure felt to him to be a full lunar year....I hate that about myself...I am no good when I get excited. I'm excitable. It's a curse. I wonder if she'll call me?