Metallica's 1999 collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony on "S&M" was awesome due to its incongruity. The Decemberists' similar experiment with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra last night was awesome due to the two groups' essential compatibility. Listening to the Decemberists' music, one feels that certain songs just beg for orchestral treatment; for instance "The Infanta" and "We Both Go Down Together" (both of which they played last night, of course). It was really very thrilling to see it all come together so well. The orchestra didn't just take the easy route, either, but added satisfying layers of complexity to the music. On top of that the Decemberists were their usual campy, theatrical selves, complete with playing dead, rolling around with instruments on the ground, and crazy dance moves. Such a beautiful night...and such a fun show.
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