Alternative Press (p.135) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Meloy's self-deprecation and warm stage demeanor keep the mood from becoming too somber....Essential listening for Decembrists obsessives -- and an excellent primer for those who aren't fans just yet."
Paste (magazine) (p.55) - "Meloy bounds through beloved Decembrists tracks interwoven with scattered covers and one throwback to his college band, Tarkio..."
The Decemberists' lead singer and songwriter, Colin Meloy, struck out on a solo acoustic tour in 2006, and the appropriately titled COLIN MELOY SINGS LIVE! captures the charm of his stage show. Interestingly, prior to 2006, the Decemberists had been steadily moving toward a denser, more complex sound that drew on progressive rock, but the stripped-down LIVE! reveals Meloy for what he's always been: a troubadour with a guitar.
On top of his knack for minor-key melodic hooks, Meloy's greatest skill is as a wordsmith. Detail-rich narratives, surprising metaphors, and lovely turns of phrase are the songsmith's stock in trade, and these can be heard on "Devil's Elbow," "Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect," "Dracula's Daughter," and elsewhere. Meloy's jangly guitar, plaintive voice, and friendly stage banter make LIVE! a fun, intimate experience.