Portland, OR, based Baroque rock band The Decemberists [ tickets ] are known for their unique storytelling style, as the 2,800 fans who witnessed their sold out show in Oakland, CA, last night (5/20) can attest.

On this night, frontman Colin Meloy led a track-by-track performance of his band's latest album, "Hazards of Love." The material, brimming with whimsical imagery and angst, is well suited for this type of linear approach. Reviewing the show for The Mercury News, Jim Harrington said it perfectly: "The work contains more drama than a dozen soap operas: love, lust, betrayal, murder, revenge."