urban sparrows

The Decemberists at Radio City Music Hall
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH 2009
AREA MAP

The Hazards of Love, the fifth full length album by The Decemberists, is the only album that Justin and I have simultaneously enjoyed out of every artist either of us have listened to in the past three years. Thus, it was imperative that we went to the concert in NYC, as it may be the only concert we ever see together.

Our seats were awesome, period. We were directly center stage in the first row of the first mezzanine. I was jealous only of the VIP pit in front of the stage. We had no heads in our way, ample legroom and an elevated view of the stage - and of Colin Meloy, swoon.

The Decemberists played the entire Hazards of Love in one continuous breath, and it was soft and heavy and consuming. My photographs follow the narrative of the album (listed below), although I was unable to capture an image for every song. The simplicity of the set design catered to the audience's imagination, like a Rorschach inkblot test lends itself to the subconscious of the tested. The billowing fabric transitioned from thick forests to starry skies to hazardous waters.

SET 1: Prelude, The Hazards Of Love 1, Won't Want For Love/The Hazards Of Love 2, Isn't It A Lovely Night?
SET 2: The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid, An Interlude, The Rake's Song, The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing
SET 3: Annan Water, Margaret In Captivity, The Hazards Of Love 3 (Revenge!)
SET 4: The Wanting Comes In Waves (Reprise), The Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)

The last two photographs are from their second set, which included Billy Liar, July, July!, The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia, Sons and Daughters (shown), a cover of Crazy On You and a few others. And alas, Colin bidding us adieu!