Portland based The Decemberists are what I call a "safe" band, you really can't hate them but they don't blow you away either. I know many people will disagree with that, but it's just how I feel. Well, until I heard their fifth studio album The Hazards of Love. I think this album was a step in the right direction, it takes the largest risk with a well deserved payoff, or maybe it's just more my kind of music. This album is described as a rock opera since it's about a tragic love story created by Colin Meloy that maintains the same theme throughout all the tracks. It also has a very epic type feel you can hear from bands like Arcade Fire, it's best to listen from track 1 to 17 without skipping ( You may want to listen to "The wanting comes in waves / repaid" a few times though). Regardless it gives me a whole new excitement to see them at Lolapalooza on Friday.
The Decemberists started back in 2000 when Colin Meloy moved to Portland and met Nate Query and Jenny Conlee, from there came Chris Funk and Ezra Holbrook who replaced the first drummer in the band. They incorporate instruments like organ, accordions, violins, harpsichord, and anything else they can get their hands on; without a doubt a talented multi-instrumental band. Many people compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel, Belle and Sebastian, and The New Pornographers.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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See now I disagree. I like the old Decemberists sound more. It had more of an old boxcar sound to it. I do kinda like Hazards of Love, but I wanted more songs like "Eli, the Barrow Boy" or "16 Military Wives" off Picaresque.
ReplyDeleteIf you like Colin Meloys voice try out Tarkio, it was his band before the Decemberists. I like thier disc Omnibus alot.
To each his own my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out Tarkio for sure.
I do agree with your accessment that they are a "safe" band. Nothing to really hate about em, unless you can't stand Colin's voice.
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