Friday, March 13, 2009

The Decemberists


So, I believe it is HIGH TIME that I mention some music on this here blog. What really brings this up is the pending release of The Decemberists' new album The Hazards of Love on March 24th. And, as announced today, released on the 17th via the ubiquitous iTunes. From the sound of the pre-released single the Rake Song, it sounds a trifle differn't then there prior releases, but it's definitely still The Decemberists.

For those of you who don't know, The Decemberists are a Portland based indie (for lack of a better term) band whose sound is truly unique. Maybe call them alt-folk, maybe alt-antebellum. Colin Meloy (one BAMF, I might add), the lead singer/guitarist, went to Missoula for creative writing (and playing with the band Tarkio, who I would also highly recommend). And it shows.

The songs envoke a quite subtlty of long-lost words that we SHOULD still be using. Lines like "the royal ubiquitous handy cam" and "you had a charming air, all cheap and debonair, my widowed mother found so sweet."

Personally, my favorite album is Castaways and Cutouts released in 2004 under the Kill Rock Stars label. Her Majesty (2004) is also a superb album, and the one I first heard. It's hard to believe I have been following the band for near-on 5 years.

Another album worth listening to, if you can get your hands on, is Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey, of which they only pressed 1,000. I was lucky enough to receive a copy for my big Christmas present (thanks Chels!). The track list is as follows:

I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
Pregnant for the Last Time
Jack the Ripper
I've Changed My Plea to Guilty
Sister I'm a Poet
Everyday is Like Sunday (a line of which is the title of this very blog)

If you find this album for anywhere south of $200, BUY IT. It's worth finding, and is appreciating in value very rapidly, especially with the release of only the second major-label EP from the band (the first being 2006's The Crane Wife).

I know I'm a total Decemberists nerd. But that's ok, I kind of like that fact. I like that I have heard the band from nearly its conception, and I like that I have watched them grow and become popular (sort of). And not sell out (you SUCK, Death Cab).

Mr. Colin Meloy and I after his Solo show at the Fox in Boulder last Spring

So when I get my shiny new 180 gram vinyl (yes, I preordered), I'll let you know by how much it kicks ass. I'm sure it will be a lot, but we'll see. In the mean time, I will be pining for the release, and the upcoming show at the Fillmore on May 26th. Which seems an impossibly long time away, but well worth the wait.


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