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- Sep 3, 2010
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The Decemberists - The King Is Dead
This album probably won't get into so much detail as to what stories are being told in the songs, or what the meaning of the songs are, that's for you to experience on your own, I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. And with that, here is the review:
Giving this album a full run through once, I can already say that this album is one of my favorites of the year, and yes, i'm aware it's still early in the year, but it's a great start to a year of new releases. The Decemberists have definitely changed their sound with this album, it's not like anything i've heard from them previously. With Picaresque and Hazards of Love, they had a very deep and dark sound, whereas The King Is Dead has a more upbeat, country sound to it, which is not a bad thing in this case. Colin Meloy is still a great vocalist with the accompaniment of other female vocalists, his lyrics are still so deep and haunting in a way. He's always had a way with putting songs together to tell a story, which has been proven with The Mariners Revenge Song off of the Picaresque album.
Two songs in particular really bring across a story that anybody can understand. January Hymn, and June Hymn. More of a slow paced couple of pieces by The Decemberists, but it really doesn't matter if it's fast or not, the story being told is enough to get me hooked.
When the first song was released, "Down By The Water", I was expecting something great by these guys, and this is exactly what I got. If you like country, indie, and folk, this album is perfect. If you like Colin Meloy and his lyrical "wonderous-ness" you will love it.
Some of the album may have it downsides, like it's "too slow", or "the lyrics aren't all that great", but that's all in personal opinion, I honestly think it's a great piece of work from this band, and I like the change in sound from Hazards of Love to this. It's different, but they pulled off being different pretty well. Lots of people will lose the meaning behind their music when they change sound, and some don't, The Decemberists haven't lost their touch. I wouldn't mind hearing their next album with this sort of influence. You'll hear some R.E.M influence, which i'm sure you've read everywhere else, but it's true. Down By The Water does sound a lot like older R.E.M songs, not particularly a bad thing, seeing as it could have a more deep meaning to you if you listened to R.E.M growing up.
Thus bringing us near the end of the album. I was expecting more of an upbeat ending to the song, but that's not what I got. It was a more dark, depressing ending. Which definitely isn't bad. It made me truly think about how the whole album was put together and how the story elevated. Not a bad touch on Decemberists part. I honestly wish the album wouldn't end though, this particular one has the potential to be one of the best, and i'm sure it will be, but that's all personal opinion.
All in all, I recommend this album as a good start to the year, even if you don't like Indie/Folk/Country-ish music, it's still a good album to have.
4/5
This album probably won't get into so much detail as to what stories are being told in the songs, or what the meaning of the songs are, that's for you to experience on your own, I wouldn't want to ruin it for you. And with that, here is the review:
Giving this album a full run through once, I can already say that this album is one of my favorites of the year, and yes, i'm aware it's still early in the year, but it's a great start to a year of new releases. The Decemberists have definitely changed their sound with this album, it's not like anything i've heard from them previously. With Picaresque and Hazards of Love, they had a very deep and dark sound, whereas The King Is Dead has a more upbeat, country sound to it, which is not a bad thing in this case. Colin Meloy is still a great vocalist with the accompaniment of other female vocalists, his lyrics are still so deep and haunting in a way. He's always had a way with putting songs together to tell a story, which has been proven with The Mariners Revenge Song off of the Picaresque album.
Two songs in particular really bring across a story that anybody can understand. January Hymn, and June Hymn. More of a slow paced couple of pieces by The Decemberists, but it really doesn't matter if it's fast or not, the story being told is enough to get me hooked.
When the first song was released, "Down By The Water", I was expecting something great by these guys, and this is exactly what I got. If you like country, indie, and folk, this album is perfect. If you like Colin Meloy and his lyrical "wonderous-ness" you will love it.
Some of the album may have it downsides, like it's "too slow", or "the lyrics aren't all that great", but that's all in personal opinion, I honestly think it's a great piece of work from this band, and I like the change in sound from Hazards of Love to this. It's different, but they pulled off being different pretty well. Lots of people will lose the meaning behind their music when they change sound, and some don't, The Decemberists haven't lost their touch. I wouldn't mind hearing their next album with this sort of influence. You'll hear some R.E.M influence, which i'm sure you've read everywhere else, but it's true. Down By The Water does sound a lot like older R.E.M songs, not particularly a bad thing, seeing as it could have a more deep meaning to you if you listened to R.E.M growing up.
Thus bringing us near the end of the album. I was expecting more of an upbeat ending to the song, but that's not what I got. It was a more dark, depressing ending. Which definitely isn't bad. It made me truly think about how the whole album was put together and how the story elevated. Not a bad touch on Decemberists part. I honestly wish the album wouldn't end though, this particular one has the potential to be one of the best, and i'm sure it will be, but that's all personal opinion.
All in all, I recommend this album as a good start to the year, even if you don't like Indie/Folk/Country-ish music, it's still a good album to have.
4/5
I'm in the same boat as you P&C! I've just got it and have only given it one full listen. For me it was different for them but it still definitely felt like a Decemberists album though it's less dark as you said. I thought Hazards of love was the darkest of all their albums I've heard. This one is refreshing and I love modern folk so this is up my alley anyway! I will definitely be spinning this one a ton! 
