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Review Summary: Finally, A King That Isn't Dead. Let's go with this: I never have liked The Decemberists. I feel that The Hazards of Love was one of the most disappointing albums I'd heard at the time (now I think it's a little above the somewhat tolerable Picaresque). So when this new album was announced, I didn't care much. I caught a listen of "This Is Why We Fight" on Youtube, and I thought, "Okay, this isn't terrible, maybe it *might* be good."
Before I dish out the reasons that this is album is The Decemberists' best to date, let's go through a little history. Colin Meloy had formed The Decemberists in Portland, Oregon, after leaving the now-defunct and broken up country band Tarkio. He met Nate Query (who is the band's upright bass) and Jenny Conlee (who is the band's pianist / keyboardist). After a couple of EPs, the band released Castaways and Cutouts. The band's drummer, Ezra Holbrook, was featured on this debut only before being kicked out, under the label name of Kill Rock Stars. Her Majesty the Decemberists followed under the label, and the album that really gave the band significant attention, Picaresque. Capitol Music soon gave them a record signing and released the album that also set standards, The Crane Wife, followed by a near three-year wait, The Hazards of Love. By that time, The Decemberists had become one of the most popular indie bands at the time.
Here's one of the things I DON'T like about the album: this isn't exactly an indie album. This feels more towards the country-side. The harmonica blasts, acoustic guitar squeaks, sharp accordion. Such as an example is in the banjo intro to "January Hymn", not to mention the west-countryside voice Colin Meloy takes on in the same song. The stomping-foot effect along with the acoustic melody in "Calamity Song". The progressing violins and catchy harmonica tunes in "All Arise!". It's not exactly fit for a "king" at all. Now, I do like the songs on here, but the whole new approach to country kind of divides me, despite the clear instrumental talent the band does have. I mean, the slide and acoustic guitars in this album are really, really high quality.
This album was recorded at Portland's Pendarvis Farm, in about a month and two weeks. Now, there's a lot of nods to other bands. The fact that The King Is Dead is a "back to the lab again" LP is the questionable point. Nods to alternative bands like R.E.M. and Gillian Welch make this feel way too nostalgic. Some beats feel more like a strange reminiscing to "Hazards of Love" and "The Crane Wife", such as the moving harmonica and drum beat intro to "Down By The Water", or the duet singing in "Rox in the Box". Feels a little too familiar.
Granted, this IS The Decemberists's most ambitious album. In a way, I think it's their best yet. I love the songwriting and amazing acoustic work in "Rise to Me". I believe it's about one of the band member's autistic children. Other songs have a very upbeat nature, like "June Hymn". "This Is Why We Fight" has to be the most significant track. The flowing acoustic beat, the familiar, but serious, drum progression, the interesting songwriting, and the mature voice of Colin Meloy.
In some ways, I think I like The King Is Dead because the last albums were so "eh" to me (though I did kind of like Her Majesty The Decemberists), and this is their strongest attempt yet. In other ways, I like The King Is Dead because it finally shows the band's true potential that the last couple of albums didn't exactly show for me, feeling sterile. I know that Decemberists fanatics might come breaking into my home and giving me a beating, but I assure you, I like The Decemberists in a way. Just don't expect them to true be the King.
Recommended Downloads
Rise To Me
June Hymn
This Is Why We Fight
| other reviews of this album |
Knott- EMERITUS (4)
...with our arms unbound....
Athom EMERITUS (2)
It's not just the king that's lifeless...
Sowing STAFF (4.5)
...and The Decemberists are more alive than ever....
thebhoy (4)
Minus the Spenserian conceits, Meloy and company have gone back to making records that are...
DocSportello (3.5)
The tale of the ingenious hidalgo Colin Meloy de la Decemberists......
AliW1993 (3.5)
Another worthy entry into The Decemberists impressively consistent catalogue, but not the ...
outline (4)
The Decemberists, seemingly intent on visiting both extremes, abandon prog completely and ...
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'Granted, this IS The Decemberists's most ambitious album.'
REALLY?! thats a very bold claim to make considering in their last 2 albums they've become more progressive, have written 2 songs over 10 mins, both albums are concepts (well the crane wife is more loose), theres more influence from other genres in the last 2 albums than ever before and the last album was a full blown out concept/rock opera with a really ridiculous concept at that.
If anything, this is one of their more simpler albums, songwriting has been more simplifed and condensed and has taken a more folk orientated style. Sure theres the use of the harmonica and a celtic inspired song to name some examples. But the Decemberists have had a quirky edge to them since their debut, its part of their sound. So would thoroughly disagree with you.
Despite that little disagreement, this is a good review. Interesting you find this their best album, since general consesus is that this is their worst. It will be interesting to read the responses from people. This is definitely a very underrated album though imo.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks for the criticism, Motiv.
And I do think it is. They have improved, but Hazards of Love is really overrated.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I seriously don't think the assertion that this is their most ambitious album holds any weight whatsoever.
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improvement does not mean that this album is more ambitious. You can be ambitious and the album can be a colossal failure and vice versa.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I know, Motiv. I've noticed that (look at how Eminem's Relapse went, or Rush's Caress of Steel), and this does set some ambitions, and meets expectations, for some of the part.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Please tell me what is ambitious about this record in comparison with Hazards.
I'm really struggling.
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sorry to say this, but this is not the 2112 thread.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Do you ever contribute anything to a discussion that isn't retarded?
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I like Rush a lot, but don't be a douche. But seriously, how is it this their most ambitious album? (And I didn't like the previous ones isn't really an answer)
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Too much stupid.
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'basically anybody with "contributing reviewer" under their name is an asshole until they finally promote me, bighans, or nagrarok to that level'
Except they deserve it and you don't.
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I don't like betting, its against my morals.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
Yeah you're right about us contribs sonic. We're huge dicks.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Yeah, I'm completley in knott's tent here. If anything this is there least ambitious album, where they simplified their music down to simple pop tunes, and therefore destroyed the majority of what was enjoyable about them in the process...
ok, that was a little bit harsh, but the reasoning you gave for this (they set the ambitions and met them) just doesn't hold up, because any band can simplify there song structure.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Ugh... What the fuck is happening?
Knott, quite responding to Sonic the Plumber. And Contributing Reviewers aren't all dicks.
And I respect all kinds of opinions.
But JESUS, shut up and give your opinions on the REVIEW.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
So what are we supposed to do in the comments now?
fantasize about unicorns and recite the constitution of the united states?
nah, I'm going to continue bitching about your review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I've given my opinion on the part of the review I felt like giving my opinion about. You didn't answer anyway.
Not sure why you felt the need to adopt such an aggressive or angry tone, but whatever, I'm out.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Listen, letsgofishing, I'm not criticizing you.
Usually on my reviews, people either fight, leave random comments, or just bitch about how the album sucks and is overrated, and I rarely get criticism.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Knott, you're missing the point. You need to not respond to everybody when they're being a dick, because that will just make it worse.
I'm just tired of everybody bitching for no reason.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
Yo TF141 here's what's going down.
What you did was write an unexpected statement, which is fine, but then failed to back it up efficiently. I would analyze
that paragraph again and find a place where you can say why you thought it was their most ambitious album. I'm sure
you have a great reason. you just haven't stated it yet.
and capitalizing entire words to gain emphasis is just gimmicky.
except for that, this really is a well written review.
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