 | Tracklist:
1. E. Watson
2. Foregone
3. Burying Davy
4. I 4 U & U 4 Me (Home Demo)
5. Row Jimmy
6. Sonnet
Release Date: 11/01/2011 | |
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On 9 Lists
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| Summary: A continued expedition into the folk depths and country sway of new age Americana… |
Those who embraced The King is Dead for its departure from The Decemberists’ normally prog-driven sound will be given one more treat before the end of 2011. Once again delving into Americana, The Decemberists offer us the best cuts from the excluded The King Is Dead tracks along with a cover of The Grateful Dead’s ‘Row Jimmy.’ From the serene, compassionate ‘Foregone’ to the groovy ‘Sonnet’, the five piece indie band’s latest effort touches on everything that made The King is Dead such a welcome change. And although it may only qualify as a collection of B-sides, Long Live The King proves itself to be another vital release in The Decemberists’ increasingly respected catalogue.
Long Live The King is a mature, predominantly acoustic EP that continues to flush away any traces of the bloated, super pretentious side of a band that once released concept albums like Picaresque and The Hazards of Love. ‘E. Watson’ thrives on Colin Meloy’s theatrical voice, which is harmonized with contributing vocalists Laura Veirs and Annalisa Tornfelt to an acoustic guitar backdrop that pronounces the song’s fragility. ‘Foregone’ is perhaps the most relaxing song that The Decemberists have ever written, and it is much akin to ‘Rise to Me’ from The King is Dead LP. Backed by gentle, rhythmic strumming and the occasional slide guitar, ‘Foregone’ tackles country and folk simultaneously in a fashion true to The Decemberists’ sense of rebirth. The Grateful Dead cover won’t take anyone’s breath away, but it serves its purpose in providing a fresh take on a highly revered classic rock song. It has a chilled-out vibe and sounds appropriately laid back, but it fails to bring out goosebumps the way that the original still does to this day. Not everything on this EP progresses at a slow pace, however, as the regrettably titled but aptly executed ‘I 4 U & U 4 Me’ features an infectious R.E.M.-styled beat with rootsy vocal inflections. ‘Burying Davy’ is another track that packs a punch, starting with nothing but Meloy’s crooning and light guitar picking but gradually building to a crescendo of soulful electric riffs and heavier percussion. From the delicate folk compositions to the energetic alt-rock tunes, The Decemberists bring something worthwhile to the table with each and every song presented on Long Live The King.
It may not be a hint at the band’s next direction, much less a reinvention of their sound, but Long Live The King is still a thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the present. It highlights The Decemberists’ ability to fuse Americana, acoustic folk, country, and alternative rock seamlessly in a way that few other artists in their scene can. Just like they did with The King is Dead, the band appears to be putting all the pomp and frills on hold (either temporarily or permanently) in order to express themselves in the most fluid and natural sounding way possible. Thus, Long Live the King serves as a supplemental EP worthy of a glance from the casual listener, and most certainly from every fan.
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Lovely review Steve...I can't do it, you'll always be Sowing to me.
But I've never liked anything this band has done, so this probably won't be the thing to hook me.
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I just said, "who the fuck is steve m?" to myself
anyway loved the 3 tracks I've heard from this so far and congrats on the promotion
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself | | | Album Rating: 3
I love you and all Sowing but
you just trespassed waior territory
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The EP will be released this Tuesday, but until then you can listen to official streams of every track across the web.
Foregone and E. Watson
http://www.directcurrentmusic.com/music-news-new-music/2011/10/25/the-decemberists-long-live-the-king.html
Burying Davy
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-stream-decemberists-spooky-instrumental-burying-davy-20111026?utm_source=The+Decemberists&utm_campaign=
I 4 U & U 4 Me
http://stereogum.com/859672/the-decemberists-i-4-u-u-4-me-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/
Row Jimmy
http://exclaim.ca/News/decemberists_announce_long_live_king_ep
Sonnet
http://www.prefixmag.com/media/the-decemberists/sonnet/57989/
Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories Digging: mewithoutYou - Ten Stories | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks Xeno and Mallen : )
You guys can still call me Sowing.
Your review will probably blow mine out of the water Caleb.
| | | Album Rating: 3
none of that modesty, you're the staff guy!
and you will always be sowing to sputnikmusic
also burying davy is my jam
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I may be staff but nobody uses big words in reviews like you do
And actually makes it sound nice and flow ok
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Burying Davy rules but Foregone is my favorite
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THIS IS WHY
THIS IS WHY
She bites.
Digging: Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials Digging: Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials
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Those who embraced The King is Dead for all of its deviant approaches
That turn of phrase made start grinning like a loon.
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
haha glad somebody appreciated it, it was indeed intentional
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who the fuck is steve?
Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead Digging: Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Some sell out
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You should change your irl name to Sowing Season
Digging: Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here Digging: Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here
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Hmmm, SowingSeasonSteve makes staff & soon after reviews a record with a track called 'Burying Dav(e)y'. I see where this is going... Just remember that Observer fella has mysteriously disappeared!
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I knew your last name was McQueen
Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Great review, and congrats on making staff Steve : )
If I want to get into this band, which of their albums do you recommend?
Edit: just listened to those streams, this is really good!
Digging: Swarms - Low Sun EP Digging: Swarms - Low Sun EP | | |
In non-Deviant related comments, I've only heard "Burying Davy" (parts of which can also be found in the deluxe editions of The King is Dead) off this record but it was ridiculously promising. I'll be checking this out for sure.
Also, I miss being able to pos your reviews Sowing...I mean Steve. Damn this name transition is actually quite awkward lol!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Ties: Haha if I could keep it as SowingSeason maybe I would, but I actually am starting to come around to people knowing my "big shot staff name"
Daveyboy: If you thought that was disturbing, you should have seen it before I corrected my mistake in the review where I spelled it "Burying Davey" instead of "Burying Davy"
Deviant: Right on...
Clercqie: this EP is quite good, but if you are just beginning I'd probably recommend getting into The Decemberists with their LP The Crane Wife. It is worlds more accessible and probably their catchiest record to date.
Irving: You can always call me Sowing. You earned the right. ; ) ...... also when is your first contributor review coming out?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Thanks for the rec, Sowing. If that whole album is as catchy as "I 4 U & U 4 Me", it's gonna be great.
Also, this is pretty accessible imo though...
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