By Timothy Norris

Click image for entire Decemberists slideshow.

Seeing the Decemberists live is like one of those rare equations in which the sum of all its parts is actually greater than what it would look like on paper.  It's magic that is unquantifiable and steers the show to great heights.  Sure, the musicianship is top self and with Colin Meloy at the helm the band is able to glide through just about any water with ease. But even more, it's the audience that makes the day (or night) at a Decemberists show.  Last night was no exception.  With 2,000-plus eager fans at the sold out Wiltern, the sing-a-longs had electricity, the clap-a-longs were in near perfect time and even the girl filing her nails in front of me was filing in rhythm.  I suppose the point I'm trying to make here is that a Decemberists concert is more than just a performance of music; It's a coming together of people and friends – even strangers – to embrace music and each other in a way not often found in everyday life.  By the end of their set I found myself feeling refreshed and a little giddy about the possibility of everything.  Good music does that for me and with the magic that the Decemberists brought, it was like a flood. 

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