"The Decemberists’ most endearing trait may be their geeky disregard for the whole idea of selling out. Former and current indie acts are all over the radio dial and album charts this year, most without sacrificing or even diluting their eccentricities.

"Modest Mouse, the Shins, and Arcade Fire have all had challenging albums debut in the top spots on the Billboard Top 200 chart. Whether real or just wishful thinking, there is a sense that idiosyncratic bands like these can rub shoulders with "American Idols" and standards-crooning baby boomers and have a significant impact on popular culture. The Decemberists will settle for a career for now, but they'll set their sights much higher.” "So writes Flyer music writer Stephen Deusner about the Decemberists, the hyper-literate indie cult band that plays the New Daisy Theatre tonight. Read the rest of Deusner’s piece here.