The Decemberists – We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11–08.11)

The Decemberists will forever be a name synonymous with indie folk rock.  They’re one of those bands that have never required tons of airplay to amass what seems like universal respect and adoration.  Concept albums like The Hazards Of Love landed high on the charts without a significant radio single backing them up, and their early days on Kill Rock Stars remain a back catalogue of coveted modern classics.  With all these highs to draw on it only makes sense that the Portland, Oregon quintet’s first live effort, We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11–08.11), plays like an interactive celebration of fan favourites and greatest hits.

Released twelve years into their marked career, the double disc feature spans two discs covering as many hours over twenty tracks.  Recorded over the course of ten states from four months of summer touring, the album captures some of the strongest live cuts that the band could have chosen.  Consequently, the album doesn’t play like a concert, but more in the style of celebration featuring a national cast of voices. 

Audience participation and interaction runs throughout – the band boosting fan favourites with plenty of dramatic pauses and extras.  “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” in particular comes expanded by four minutes in which front man Colin Meloy trains the audience as the final blood-curdling cry of the vengeful sea captain.  That “The Crane Wife 1, 2, and 3” comes performed in one continuous take is a rare treat, and the inclusion of Meloy’s long running “worst song I ever wrote” joke in the opening of “Dracula’s Daughter > O Valencia!” makes for a light hearted chuckle.  With offerings like “The Rake’s Song” and “Billy Liar” the band includes the songs their fans would want, in effect also making this a recommendable starting point for those interested in starting from scratch.

I’ve never regretted listening to a Decemberists album, and We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11–08.11) only reinforces this sentiment.  It would be ill informed to discredit this album as just another live album cash-in.  With such a playful audience-performer connection and stellar content to draw upon, the band understands that their responsibility to their fans expands far beyond the recording studio.  If you’ve yet to check out The Decemberists in concert, We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11–08.11) should place this at the top of your to do list.