Song of the Week 2/8/08

The Dismemberment Plan - "The Ice of Boston"

Back in August I posted a link to my friend Michael Boyd's Patient Boy blog where he deemed a song that myself and my bandmate in The 5th Joe S. co-wrote called "Drunken Agreement" was his song of the week. That song somehow inspired Mr. Boyd to invite me to take part in his own solo show, set to take place in October during Magnetic Field's Monday night local music showcase. The song he wanted me to provide the vocals for was called "The Ice of Boston" by the now defunct D.C. band The Dismemberment Plan. I'd heard the band's name, but had never heard any of their music. My first time through "The Ice of Boston" I thought to myself, "Damn, Boyd knows how to pick a song that plays to my strengths." "Boston" is a humorous song about pursuing a lost love (okay, I get that) that features weird spoken verses (yup, I can do that) and then screamed choruses (oh yeah, I got that down). It, quite simply, is a song designed for me to sing.

That gig in October didn't happen, but it finally got rescheduled for the night of February 11th. After one rehearsal, I had a good feeling. After a second rehearsal, I knew it was going to kick ass. And it did. I don't think I've ever had a prouder moment on the Field's stage than talking/singing "The Ice of Boston." So thanks Boyd, for seeing a talent in me I didn't even know I had.

BONUS: The day after Boyd and I first rehearsed the song, I decided to look it up on YouTube just to see how frontman Travis Morrison handled it live. And I found four very distinct examples.

1) 1997 Brownies, NYC
This was the same year the song was released on The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified, and the band sticks to the original.


2) 2002 Halloween, San Diego
At this point the band had established their gag of having fans crowd the stage and singing along. Morrison is still somewhat invested and enjoys the song.



3) 2003 Final Tour, Seattle
I can see why the band decided to call it quits--watch the disdain Morrison has for the whole entire spectacle of the song.



4) 2007 Reunion Show for Cal Robbins, Washington D.C.
Perhaps reuniting for a good cause of helping the son of J. Robbins made Morrison tolerate the song, as he kind of actually gave something in his performance. Of course, the fans give a whole lot more.