You know a band has hit the bigtime when they get to play with a symphony orchestra. And that's exactly what the Decemberists get to do!
This summer, if you're in LA, Atlanta ("but they have a second-rate symphony"), Columbus (MD), Philadelphia, or Chicago, you can catch Colin and the band performing their songs in new orchestral arrangements. Soon enough we'll all be enjoying the band at Tanglewood with the Pops (and maybe dreamy Keith Lockhart can frolic with the Decemberists). Ah, to be young and have access to an orchestra.