Of cranes and spies

Wow, kids - I am really impressed with the latest album by the Decemberists, "The Crane Wife." I bought it only a few weeks ago, and I only now listened to it for the second time. Though I think I need to listen to it more to get a better sense of the overall story (because I think there is at least a loose story connecting the songs on the album), I can honestly say that "O Valencia," "Yankee Bayonet" and "Sons and Daughters" are great, shimmering folk-rock songs - all three are near-classics. If you've never heard this band, give it a listen. I know all those indier-than-thou kids out there insist that the Decemberists have lost a step since "their early stuff," but it's mere snobbery. They've only improved over time, and they've especially improved since the great but not necessarily classic "Picaresque."

Now if only they would play live somewhere near Rochester.

Incidentally, I found this photo online - what the Decemberists would look like as Lego mini-figures. Check out the source site for more (my personal favorite Lego rockers - the White Stripes. Sonic Youth as Lego figures is just confusing - which one is Thurston, and which one is Lee? And who's the fifth Youth? They've been a four-piece for a while, right?).

In other news - last night I once again got to see a free movie in advance of its opening. This time, it was "Casino Royale." I'm not a die-hard Bond fan, but I was looking forward to this movie. And it's good, it really is. It's just too darn long. I was shifting in my seat during what I thought were two or three climactic scenes, only to be presented with a new twist. However, some judicious pruning would have helped earlier in the film, not at the end. Have no idea what I'm talking about? You'll probably just have to go see it.