| | Full Review | Ratings (760) |
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| 2.5 average | iarescientists | March 9th 09 |
There's some cool parts where I'm like "yeah this is pretty cool" but other than that it's really uninteresting and boring which sucks because I was actually looking forward to this.
Oh yeah and fuck you natey
5 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.0 poor | Antiquity | August 9th 10 |
Where The Decemberists's 2009 full-length fails is not in musical terms, it's in lyrical unimportance and anything that stems from it. The concept is an interesting one, chock-full of cliches (on purpose) but lacking a lot of charisma. Musically, the album is just as formal and tiresome, only made worse by its excessive length. By the end of it all, it becomes clear that the album is just a bunch of uninspired folksy tunes - for who it's watered down, I couldn't tell you. Go ask all the Margarets and the Williams.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | | February 13th 10 |
Let's try this again. Bump me so I can overtake Waior!
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Iai EMERITUS | March 20th 09 |
What must have been going through The Decemberists' heads as they came up with the idea for The Hazards of Love? Colin Meloy tried to put it in a clear and simple light - 'there’s an odd bond between the music of the British folk revival and classic metal, a natural connection between, like, Fairport Convention and Black Sabbath,' and sure enough that rings true. But surely there's more to it than that - this is an album of such diversity, passion, grandeur, and vision that only a band determined to grab the world by the scruff of its neck could have made it. And as a demonstration of exactly why The Decemberists are one of the best bands in the world, it's a spectacular success. I will put this in no uncertain terms: The Hazards of Love is clearly the band's best album, and it will be a disgrace if it doesn't at least see them earning Album of the Year accolades. On this showing, they surely deserve the kind of reputation and success that Arcade Fire, The Shins, and Vampire Weekend have found. A top, top album.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 0.0 | Athom EMERITUS | March 7th 09 |
After the disappointingly average Always A Bridesmade singles series I was getting a bit worried about how The Decemberists' next album would sound, but doubters be damned The Hazards of Love is great! On The Hazards of Love, The Decemberists expand on the sounds of The Crane Wife with the addition wonderful female vocals and ample doses of straight up rock and roll. Loyalist fans of the jangly shanties of the band's past might be put off but for those that have accepted the expansion of their sound, The Hazards of Love is a blast.
2 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | K. Prince | January 6th 10 |
The Decemberists. I truly wonder how they manage to pull it off. They make a harpsichord sound right at home with a children?s choir, they make a 3/4 waltz of a song transition seamlessly into a classic rocker and, most importantly, they make an album with as ridiculous of a concept as The Hazards of Love absolutely incredible. An experience only made possible by listening to the album itself and taking the time to articulate the lyrics, The Hazards of Love is an impeccably crafted work of art that manages to transcend its own pretentiousness and ambitions in order to wed narrative and melody. I don?t know how you did it, Colin Meloy, but the world is surely a better place because of it. Good luck topping this one.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | Antonius | August 16th 21 |
The Hazards of Love represents Colin Meloy's pinnacle of storytelling. Meloy has shown his lyrical prowess from the very beginning of The Decemberists' career, but it was only in the band's previous release - The Crane Wife - where he tried to follow a more progressive rock path. The Hazards of Love is a concept album focusing on a love story between a woman (Margaret) who falls in love with a forest dweller (William). but the Forest Queen (William's mother) and a villainous rake, try to bring conflict and separate the couple. What I liked in this album was the blend of folk and indie rock elements which provided the appropriate canvas to support the various vocal arrangements. The album is one of those concept ones where it is difficult to isolate tracks, as many of them segue into each other and make the separation a hard process. Recommendations: "The Rake's Song", "The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid", "A Bower Scene"&"Won't Want for Love", "The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing" & "Annan Water".
Bump |
| 2.5 average | Monheim | October 10th 15 |
The Hazards of Love is The Decemberists at their most turgid and obnoxious. The music at points is
decent enough on its own but the awful, overwrought story drags the whole endeavor down to the
point of embarrassment. The Crane Wife was an interesting concept album. The Hazards of Love is a
pastiche, a meaningless and unintentional self-parody. I never like criticizing a band too harshly
for branching out and trying new things, but The Decemberists fell flat onto their collective
faces with this release.
Bump |
| 5.0 classic | rockerdrummer | February 15th 12 |
This album goes beyond any form of storytelling by The Decemberists or any other band for that matter. The combination if Colin Meloy's beautiful lyricism and the band's overall variety of sounds and instruments (and beautiful vocals as well) sets the perfect mood for such a poetic story. They frequently switch musical styles and even take a motif and switch the style in which they play with throughout the album (like The Wanting Comes in Waves, and all 4 parts of The Hazards of Love) No other band can pull this off and I would label this as a modern day classic. It's only about an hour long but by then end you feel emotionally drained as if you just read a book. It's a perfect musical rollercoasterIt's an art, truly. I am personally upset I missed the Hazards of Love tour, but maybe one day it will return or turn into a musical. I am also upset they didn't get any accolades for this. The Decemberists are easily one of the most underrated bands out there.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | LokitheTrickster | November 3rd 11 |
A decent album overall, and the story was pretty good. I particularly liked the lyrics, which were very literate. However, there were some times where it seemed like the band tried too hard to evoke some kind of Romantic, elder style of writing. However, this does not detract too much from the album.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | xKERBYx | June 12th 09 |
With the addition of a female vocalist, The Decemberists kick my ass! The whole storyline isn't that big of deal though. This a really beautiful album with tons of musicality.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | shindip | April 1st 09 |
An amazing musical experience from these indie rockers. One of the best concept albums I have heard in recent years, with an interesting story delivered through simple, interesting music.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | doofy | January 11th 24 |
| 3.5 great | wwf | December 27th 22 |
| 4.5 superb | Luminol | November 23rd 20 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sowing STAFF | May 11th 20 |
| 3.5 great | Mathias STAFF | December 21st 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | bens | January 19th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Oreon | January 11th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jokurr | November 7th 17 |
| 3.5 great | wg98 | August 14th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Xcal | November 24th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Brad | November 12th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | jackled | October 11th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cygnus | June 28th 16 |
| 3.5 great | nyshago | February 24th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Veldin | January 11th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Archaic | October 25th 15 |
| 3.0 good | jmh886 | October 8th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tom R. CONTRIBUTOR | September 5th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Klkofe | May 26th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Karluk | March 29th 15 |
| 1.0 awful | fredyk | February 6th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jiag | February 3rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | nickkng | December 29th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | kabik | November 21st 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | kbridges | November 19th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Bidoof | October 13th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | ariich | October 4th 14 |
| 3.5 great | behappy | September 15th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | sje45 | August 4th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jaime | June 12th 14 |
| 2.5 average | whaka | May 27th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Gard3n | April 24th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Amry | February 10th 14 |
| 3.5 great | mth631 | February 6th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | imsopunk | December 20th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | tef | September 27th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | JS19 | February 3rd 13 |
| 3.0 good | gp0942 | January 30th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Mr16 | January 18th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | vkristi | January 7th 13 |
| 2.5 average | Lenix | December 31st 12 |
| 4.5 superb | DylanD | December 15th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Penlord | December 6th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Jarxmas | November 29th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Melanin | October 6th 12 |
| 3.5 great | Fleeba | September 7th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Amos81 | August 11th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Yoto | June 3rd 12 |
| 4.5 superb | aerius | March 30th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | jg777 | March 30th 12 |
| 3.0 good | Mr_L | March 20th 12 |
| 3.0 good | Mike08 | February 22nd 12 |
| 2.5 average | jlech | January 24th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Pipt | January 19th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Sumire | January 15th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | Vuzin2 | January 14th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | iGuter | January 9th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | gvogel | December 31st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | iSkane | December 30th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mort | December 22nd 11 |
| 2.5 average | Wael | December 12th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mandais | November 20th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Pugnax | October 21st 11 |
| 2.0 poor | ti0n | October 1st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | outline | August 23rd 11 |
| 4.5 superb | rel07e | August 5th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Totes | July 20th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | kromml | July 11th 11 |
| 3.5 great | bc013 | June 9th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Drifts | May 29th 11 |
| 3.0 good | Raidho | April 16th 11 |
| 3.0 good | itchy | February 15th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Hacknet | January 31st 11 |
| 3.5 great | Volk23 | January 21st 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mallen- | January 15th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | MrD | January 12th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rowdy | January 2nd 11 |
| 4.5 superb | -1up!- | December 28th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ishysez | November 24th 10 |
| 3.5 great | mdub662 | November 21st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | TheStig | October 13th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | heyadam | October 7th 10 |
| 3.5 great | JWT155 | September 22nd 10 |
| 3.5 great | occer | September 20th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Edub991 | September 6th 10 |
| 1.5 very poor | noisy | September 5th 10 |
| 2.5 average | cvrcmrc | September 2nd 10 |
| 2.5 average | Kosko | September 2nd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | CutMan | August 13th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Zoso4 | July 31st 10 |
| 4.5 superb | mppwns | June 10th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | ferrum | June 2nd 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Zizzer | April 23rd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | benhxc | April 1st 10 |
| 3.0 good | Sejine | February 25th 10 |
| 2.5 average | RedSky | January 21st 10 |
| 4.5 superb | sphygmo | January 13th 10 |
| 3.0 good | matt4 | January 12th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | rodigo1 | January 10th 10 |
| 3.5 great | Glomp | January 4th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Aids | January 4th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | HHD87 | January 2nd 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | lp93 | December 26th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | mmmyeap | December 21st 09 |
| 2.5 average | Skyler | December 10th 09 |
| 3.0 good | sgrevs | November 13th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Photon | November 12th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | lewser | November 3rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | mareep | October 19th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | mouette | October 18th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Thef | October 18th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | avestin | October 15th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ricven | October 15th 09 |
| 3.5 great | TEM | October 14th 09 |
| 3.5 great | ameypv | October 12th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Rudy K. EMERITUS | October 7th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | proxymo | September 24th 09 |
| 3.5 great | qwe3 | September 24th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | d00derz | September 8th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | dev4ll | August 18th 09 |
| 3.5 great | barns | August 16th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Collis | July 30th 09 |
| 2.5 average | Yotimi | July 17th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | shade | July 2nd 09 |
| 2.0 poor | mvdu | June 4th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | ffbadd | May 30th 09 |
| 3.5 great | greg84 EMERITUS | May 22nd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | duma57 | May 19th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bea | May 16th 09 |
| 2.5 average | lobby | May 12th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Tjeerd | May 11th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | cody72 | April 28th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | jc1587 | April 23rd 09 |
| 2.5 average | kitsch | April 20th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | John L | April 18th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | kintups | April 17th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Smooz | April 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jebull | April 12th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Bleak | April 8th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Ryce | April 1st 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Donkey | April 1st 09 |
| 2.5 average | cafitz | March 30th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | astrel | March 26th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Isola | March 25th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Kodan | March 24th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | timbo8 | March 24th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | narf405 | March 24th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | RoshanC | March 24th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | delooks | March 24th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | Curse. | March 24th 09 |
| 3.5 great | Acre | March 24th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | mx STAFF | March 23rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | IsItLuck? EMERITUS | March 22nd 09 |
| 3.0 good | doqtor | March 16th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | natey | March 8th 09 |
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