good at what they do. Just beware Mr. Turner and friends:
your 15 minutes is counting down.

Although their set lacked both “The Mariner’s Revenge
Song,” and its accompanying toy whale head, The
[Decemberists put on a solid show. Colin Meloy’s banter
about the stories behind his songs was endearing and they
even had Sean Nelson from Harvey Danger show up to
end his vocal assistance to “16 Military Wives.” It was a
ood reminder that the festival is supposed to be about
music from the northwest.

I ran around the Gorge, unsuccessfully trying to find
decent vegetarian fare, and found myself at the Wookie
stage in time for We Are Scientists. They've taken a lot of
flack for their uninventive dance rock, but their live show
kicked ass. It was nothing groundbreaking, but their songs
were infused with new life in the absence of sterile studio
production. I was solidly entertained from start to finish.
I caught only the last few songs from Matisyahu, as his
“Hassidic reggae’’ has always come across as a bit of a
chtick. His songs are catchy though, and when he sang
pbout bringing jerusalem to the Gorge, he had the
merican crowd dancing like they knew how much money

    
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
 
   
  
 
    
 
  
 
 
   
 
  

heir government gives Israel every year in foreign aid. I
Even saw a few people throw Yarmulkas (those little hats)
DN Stage.

I joined the pit for Queens of the Stone Age, and
pithough the crowd wasn’t lacking for enthusiasm, I found
e band somewhat uninspiring. Josh Homme’s remarks
pbout how health insurance is for pussies were amusingly
plpha-male, but by the time “Little Sister” rolled around, I
was ready to crowd surf my way out.

Because of their current status and obvious locality,
Death Cab for Cutie was greeted to thunderous cheers
om the sold-out crowd. Ben Gibbard politely thanked
everyone, and remarked that “nothing makes you feel more
ike a sissy than coming on stage after Queens of the Stone
” The band then opened with “New Year,” and songs
rom The Photo Album and Transatlanticism dominated the
est of the evening, Gibbard balanced his oft-tender lyrics
with a strong stage presence, and even stepped behind a
second drum kit for an extended jam in the middle of “We
oked Like Giants.”

Death Cab only touched on P/ans material on a few
pccasions, with “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” the \
band’s next single, being the most memorable. Their

  
  
 
 

 

eliance on older material was a good thing, but in front of :

a hometown crowd, it seemed a bit apologetic. Still, I'll take
“We Laugh Indoors” over “Soul Meets Body” any day.
Good show boys!

Beck was the festival headliner, and he
interesting show featuring a puppet
band on the rear of the stage. Mr, F
pretty chill, but his on-stage bre;
made up for it. The set started
seemed to lose steam towards

We were treated to a pre-
in between the set and the en
lame. Just don’t play it if you’re
returned for “E-Pro,” which fea

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
   
  
   
    
 
 
  
  
 
   
  
   

an Sachin but I just antes) a
with cheese whiz.
And in the immortal Ww
about all I have to say a
Squatch!