I’ve been thinking about Colin Meloy today. I was thinking about his political endorsement of Steve Novick and how weird it must feel to be at a place where your endorsement might sway the vote somewhat—and how said endorsement would dovetail nicely with this song should Novick fail. I thought about some jokes that were passed around over Mexican food down at SXSW, where friends and I imagined that Meloy says everything he needs to say in casual conversation by way of melodic Decemberists’ lyrics. I was thinking of Laura Gibson out there on the road with him (I’ve baited her with insider Best New Band knowledge if she’d send back photos of Meloy eating Hot Pockets and playing PSP—devices that don’t exist in the rustic songscapes he embellishes so lovingly). I thought about the vaguely harsh review Colin Meloy Sings Live! got from Pitchfork (I have mixed feelings over the live album—and I hate live albums, generally—as well, but there are moments of the review when I just want to say “it’s Colin Meloy! What did you expect?”).

After all that, I really thought about this song, which was sent our way by Meloy’s “people” (who ride Victorian-era bicycles to work and spin umbrellas whilst typing emails—okay, I’ll stop…sorry) and which I forgot to use as a cut of the day back when it was still fresh. Hearing it took me back to the band’s secret show as the December Brides (how could anyone have not figured that out!) at ACME, and how goddamn crazy a night that was. It’s always special when you get an unexpected chance to see a bigtime band in a tiny venue. It was special, and all the expectations of a family-friendly live show at some outdoor arena went flying out the window.

So here it is somewhat after the fact. “We Both Go Down Together,” originally released on Picaresque, performed by a solo Colin Meloy:

Download audio file (We both go down together.mp3)

Links:
DecemberSpace

Photo: Our favorite shot of Meloy: “You’ll believe me when I say I’m an oil man.”