PoMo Picks: January's Best Bets For Things to See and Do
Decemberists front man Colin Meloy announced the band’s new album in November while busking on a New York street before a mural of the cover art by Carson Ellis.
Image: Courtesy Carson Ellis
MUSIC
January Playlist
Fight winter darkness with three lush albums from local artists
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The Decemberists: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
After a four-year hiatus following 2011’s chart-topping The King Is Dead, the indie rock kings are back, fresh-faced, with perhaps their most dynamic and pop-hook-riddled record yet, from the doo-wop ooh waa’s of “Philomena” to the rousing, golden melodies on the first single, “Make You Better.” On sale Jan 20; release concert Mar 21.
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Ezza Rose Band: When the Water’s Hot
On her previous albums, Rose brandished a spare blend of bluegrass-tinged folk, paring her delicate, halcyon voice with plucked and strummed strings. Now she ventures into richer, denser, more daring territory. Release concert Jan 17.
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Robin Bacior: Water Dreams
Joined by cellist Dan Bindschedler, Bacior’s brand of folk is dulcet, vibrant, and sonorous, the interplay of piano and cello verging on the classical. Her newest album collects beautiful songs loosely based on her abandonment of New York for Portland. On sale Jan 13; release concert Jan 21
Chekhov courtesy Shutterstock; Lohan courtesy Helga Esteb/Shutterstock.com; Bullock courtesy s_bukley/Shutterstock.com; South Park courtesy Comedy Central
THEATER
CONCERTS
Classical Music’s Greatest Hits
Don’t tell Chamber Music Northwest that classical music is fading in popularity. The 44-year-old presenter returns for its second Winter Festival after its Summer Festival set new attendance records. This time, the weeklong program focuses on masterpieces by the greats: Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, et al. Consider it a classical crash course. Jan 27–Feb 1
Image: Courtesy Ulf Andersen
BOOKS & TALKS
The Good Stuff
“Personally I would prefer to see bookstores shelve all fiction together regardless of genre. Or maybe just have two sections, ‘Good Stuff’ and ‘Crap.’ Into Crap we will consign all novels regard-less of genre or reputation that trade in cliché and dead language. If I ever own a bookstore I will do it that way. Only I will just leave out the Crap section.”
—Michael Chabon, the Pulitzer-winning author of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and Telegraph Avenue
Jan 15 | Portland Arts and Lectures | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
