Folk rock favorites, The Decemberists, will be stopping by Iroquois Amphitheater on Monday, September 28 in support of their latest album, “What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World.” You can still grab tickets, here.
The newest album comes after a nearly 4-year hiatus, but is proving to be worth the wait. The first single, “Make You Better” released with a headline-worthy music video featuring comedy’s main man, Nick Offerman. In classic Decemberists style, the song (and video, see below) tells a story, this one of unrequited love; lyrics in abstract, but easily grasped.
Singer and principal songwriter Colin Maloy’s ability to weave tales of woe hasn’t diminished over hiatus, but the album does feel more upbeat than hits of the past - which is to say that it doesn’t leave you heartwrecked in the end. Some songs, like “Make You Better,” are solidly modern folk, while “Carolina Low” feels like a hand-me-down tune, saved from the Civil War era - something fitting from a band that’s become so good at telling stories of tragedy lost to history.
Old favorites will surely be heard on Monday night, but also look forward to some new material, as the band prepares to release a new EP, “Florasongs.” The EP, scheduled to drop Oct. 9, features five songs from the same sessions that brought together “What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World.”
As a bonus, The Decemberists famously love audience participation - they’ve staged sea battles and more, with the help of attendees - and they have a great opportunity to do something big in the Iroquois Amphitheater space. Who would miss that?
Doors open at 6:30, with opener Olivia Chaney kicking off the show at 8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of The Decemberists.
