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Touch of campfire in Colin Meloy

Although some critics may say only fans of The Decemberists could enjoy a Colin Meloy live album, this is not the case with his latest release, Colin Meloy Sings Live!. While the lack of musical backup in songs from his 2006 solo tour collection would leave most a bit bored, this album manages to keep listeners engaged throughout the entire compilation as Meloy uses only his voice and guitar to highlight his strong songwriting abilities.

Singing of love and woe, Meloy makes listeners feel as though they are part of the live audience.  He gives listeners a glimpse of his engaging stage personality, and he even includes tracks solely devoted to his stage presence. Telling jokes and promoting audience participation, Meloy also laughs and sings along with his devoted fans.

On one track, Meloy shares what he believes to be the worst song he ever wrote, “Dracula’s Daughter,” admitting he does not know how he managed to write as much of it as he did. With lyrics like “You think you’ve got it bad/ Try having Dracula for your dad,” I think most of us would have to agree.

This song and “Wonder” were unreleased prior to Colin Meloy Sings Live!. As for the rest of the album, Meloy uses songs from his band The Decemberists, his first band Tarkio and interjections from songs by Fleetwood Mac, Shirley Collins and The Smiths. The song “We Both Go Down Together” feels sadly empty without its well-known instrumentals, while tracks “Barbara Allen,” “On the Bus Mall” and “Bandit Queen” are more funny folk tunes that sound almost like ballads from a lost musical as they tell stories of relationships.

“Devil’s Elbow,” “The Gymnast, High Above the Ground” and “California One/Youth and Beauty/Ask” are a mellow mix of tracks, fitting background music for a classy restaurant. “Here I Dream I Was an Architect,” “The Bachelor and the Bride” and “Red Right Ankle,” on the other hand, are more upbeat, sing-songy tracks that — as Meloy puts it — create a campfire feel. Consequently, he has the audience sing parts of the refrain in “The Engine Driver.”

While the album as a whole is slow and devoid of energy at times, Meloy’s personality and lyrics and the audience’s participation are what make Colin Meloy Sings Live! worthy of Decemberists fans’ well-earned dollars.

 

4 out of 5 stars