Robyn Hitchcock with The Decemberists Feb 9th 2007

[kantelon]

You, above commenartians, must all be daft, except for monkandvovies13, who is correct, great moment for Calvin. the accent and the vibe is in the song, that's all it is, like dressing for the part. Robyn is a huge influence on the Decemberists, and in the moment, on stage, all of that comes to play. You may be performing to Austin, but it might as well be Glasgow or New Castle, because that's how it is when you are in the moment on stage. Anyone who has done this, knows that.

[kantelon]

Was back stage during his perfmormance with J. B. and he so wanted to grab a free guitar and go on, but didn't, anyway, not adept at this You Tube format, but my comments were to the previous "posts", can't believe you were all hung up the accent! Do it live, and you will know where it comes from. It comes from the moment and the meaning of the song. How can you, fans I assume, not know that?

[oldphoque]

Yeah! I bet that was a cool moment to remember for Cal. Probably a bit nervous. He did jumble the lyrics a bit. Queen Elvis is a great album. Every Decemberests fan should find a copy. It just doesnt get old.

[mpagner]

A song where Colin's faux English accent, actually fits, although I'll never understand why a guy from Montana sings like a Brit.

[Verence]

How does Colin sing with a British accent? I've never understood why people say this.

He sings with a certain unique style, sure, but the way he pronounces words when he sings matches no British accent.

[mpagner]

Not sure how he does what he does. Perhaps it's a subconscious thing based on British artists he likes. In terms of unique style, it was kind of unique when I first heard it in the voice of Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. Yeah, I'm being obnoxious, but there is a certain pretentiousness to The Decemberists that deserves to be made fun of. I love some of their music, but they seem to take themselves too seriously. I am not going to name specific instances where he enunciates like a Brit.

[sadtrapofgravity]

hahahaha

hear hear

(i think it's the warbling though. that might be what does it, and giving pretty much every word an extra syllable :P)

still <3 them though.

[mpagner]

I've realized it's more of a Scottish or Irish thing he's got going on. Whatever it is, it is a very affected vocal style. And again, it's not that I hate the Decemberists, but there's no denying that Colin enunciates in a non-American English way when he sings.

[sadtrapofgravity]

i guess...

i don't think it's really any particular accent. but you're right, he does weird stuff with his vowels.

have you heard him sing morrissey covers? you're right--his voice is oddly very appropriate (??) with/for non-american songs.

[RobGoth100]

More of an effeminate whine than British.

[bhdoug]

this isreally cool. i always thought the decemberists(colin) kind of sounded like robyn

[MOTOPAC]

I don't see what's so special about Decemberists. They're just a kinda OK nerd band.

[monkandmovies13]

man, that must have been absolutely amazing for colin

[rocknsprock86]

awesome!

[lifeboatB]

wow! wish I'd been there. colin looks tickled to death. Thanks for posting!

[KillbotLuna]

Love it!

[reagan9000]

sound and video aren't in sync. Too bad cause looked pretty neat.