Why Should the Fire Die?

Two summers ago, Nickel Creek's album "Why Should the Fire Die" was nothing more than that. However, earlier this year Nickel Creek decided they would disband, and after seeing them perform once more, it remains a question in my head. Why exactly is the fire dying right now? I walked away from the concert stunned and mesmorized by the sheer talent and quaility of their music, and can't help but wonder why they could disband now.

Nickel Creek chose to close their encore with this song as well. Playing completely acoustic, with no microphones and their instruments unplugged, the hushed crowd listened in amazement as their incredible musical talent mixed with their perfectly harmonized voices softly filled the Brown Theater. It was an intimate moment with a band that is leaving everything they've got on stage at every performance. Chris Thile said they played it this way to show how good the acoustics were in the theater, but part of me beleives it was a gift to the fans that had supported them for so long, especially after he said we were the best, most attentive audience they had ever had. It was a special song, and it seems as if my gaze is still stuck on them singing that song with pure talent. They left the stage after singing the song, but not before Chris Thile seemed to gaze back with a sort of sadness that signaled the journey would soon end. I know he isn't sure he wants to let it go.

Before this incredible end, Nickel Creek played to a packed, and strangely older audience, for a solid two hours. There was the expected, but there was much more that kept me intently mesmorized by the show at every turn. This was not just a concert, it was an interaction between the band and their most loyal fans. They didn't just play songs, they told stories, joked, and laughed. They let us see past the band and to the individuality that makes them Nickel Creek. Stage presence is key to a great concert, and the charisma the three members of the band show is second to none. They are not afraid to poke fun at each other, themselves, or even the crowd. And they seem genuinely proud of and thankful for the fans they have. Sara explained that her newest song was inspired by the fact that she had too many cups in her cupboard; it was a break up song. Chris explained that his breakup song had a simple proposition that every Ex should consider. The refrain stated.."If your gonna leave me, set me up with one of your freinds." It was yet another surprise in the show, showing a lighter side of the band compared to their deep, thoughtful lyrics that spread across all three of their CD's. Sean joked that his break up song was on the lighter side; one of it's lyrics says "I hope you meet someone your height, so you can see eye to eye with someone as small as you."

The funniest bit may have been when Chris's explained that he regrets naming the first song on their debut album Ode to a Butterfly. He said its hard to name a song when it has no lyrics, but maybe they should have considered using the muscial notes of the main chord as the title. But then he said he knew DJ's would never play a song titled like that. He assured us though that they never played it anyway.

Each song was played with special care, filled with the special attention to detail that makes the music soar. Each note was accompanied by one, two, or all three of their amazing voices harmonizing their beautiful lyrics. They knack they have for writing such powerful songs amazes me. None was more impressive than a slightly changed but more powerful rendition of "House Carpenter." I have become especially fond of this song lately, and when they began to play it I was extremely excited. Chris's voice on this song was so pure, and the edited lyrics were awesome. They jammed between the stanzas and finished the song with a couple minute instrumental that had everyone in the crowd gazing in awe. It was simply amazing.

The set included Nickel Creek staples such as "This Side", "When You Come Back Down", and a soft, simple version of "The Lighthouse's Tale" before the final song of the encore. Favorties of mine such as "Out of the Woods", "The Fox", and "Reasons Why" were stellar as well. And what would a Nickel Creek concert be with out a few showcases of their first class musical talent with a few of their instrumentals.

It was the complete concert. Filled with their best songs, and new ones that everyone enjoyed. A humble band, and a thankful, awe-filled audience. It was like a conversation with your best friend. When they started the encore with "Ill Be There" by the Jackson Five and followed with their now cult-hit cover of "Toxic" by Brittany Spears you knew they were comfortable with their audience. They gave us everything we could handle and we got everything we could have hope for. The band was humbled by the response they recieved after the final song before the encore, and hurried back on stage to reward the crowd. No one sat back down until the set was finished.

I'm saddened by the fact that I may never see Nickel Creek again, or buy another album. But I am happy to say that I have seen them twice and have listened to their music and been a loyal fan. I wish them the best in their future endeavors and hope one day I will be purchasing their fourth album. Though the fire must die, as they sing "you have to go alone, you have to chase your dream" I wish the didn't have to. But in the same song they reassure us, "I'll still be there, when you come back down." Maybe its all written in their lyrics. Maybe we just have to wait.