First off, have you heard The Decemberists’ latest album, “The Hazards of Love?” If not, drop what you’re doing, go buy it, listen to it at least 3 times on a good sound system, and read the lyrics while you’re listening. No really, do it now. I’ll wait.

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Wasn’t it awesome?! It’s this crazy epic rock opera about a shape-shifting forest-dweller who falls in love with a lovely young maiden, their trials with the queen of the forest, a murdering rake, and a wild river. The brand brought in two amazing vocalists from other bands to fill the parts of Margaret (the heroine of the story) and the forest queen.

Naturally, when I found out they were coming to the area, I had to go to the concert. So, last night Lucky, Zerg, Brittany, and I made our way down to Richmond, VA for the show.

I need to finish packing for India (leaving in just a few hours!), so I’ll just list some of the highlights: The Queen absolutely rocked, Margaret did an excellent job of staying in character the entire performance, the band has several ridiculously talented multi-instrumentalists (Hammond organ, Nord synth, and glockenspiel all at the same time? Very yes!), and finally, the Decemberists Players taught me that Evel Knievel’s ability to jump 7 cars with his motorcycle was the real reason that the South didn’t successfully succeed from the North during the Civil War. Brilliant.

More pictures from the concert