2009’s The Hazards of Love, the last release by Portland’s indie folk quintet The Decemberists, was a towering rock opera full of shape shifting forest dwellers, jealous fairy queens and lascivious rakes. The album received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its scope and its heavier sound when compared to their earlier work, while others derided it for pretentiousness and having too much focus on the story as opposed to the music.
Following their divisive sojourn into the world of the concept album, the Decemberists go back to their roots with their latest offering, The King Is Dead. The album marks a return to the simpler, more minimalistic indie style of their earlier albums, while retaining the anachronistic language, witty wordplay and poetic beauty common to all their work.
The band’s earlier releases were often heavily influenced by British folk music, but with The King Is Dead, lead singer/songwriter Colin Meloy has chosen to draw much more upon the Americana and country scene. Especially noticeable is the impact R.E.M has had on the album. Unsurprisingly you might say, given that guitarist Peter Buck is featured on three of the 10 tracks on offer, and “Calamity Song” in particular could easily have been lifted from Murmur or Reckoning.
Other tracks on the album include the Neil Young-esque harmonica and mandolin of “Don’t Carry It All”, riotous square dance “Rox In The Box” and uptempo folk stomper “Down By The Water”, with backing vocals from bluegrass luminary Gillian Welch. All these are hushed and perfectly complemented by a pair of beautiful acoustic ballads, and my two favourite tracks on the album, “January Hymn” and “June Hymn”. “January Hymn” in particular, with its nostalgic lyrics and fluttering guitar evoking falling snow, is a standout.#
Overall, The King Is Dead provides an excellent return to the indie scene for The Decemberists. By reining in his ambitions for grandiosity and theatre and sticking to a simpler, more stripped back and acoustic sound, Colin Meloy and the band have created an album that by leaving out a lot gives so much more
Overall, The King Is Dead provides an excellent return to the indie scene for The Decemberists. By reining in his ambitions for grandiosity and theatre and sticking to a simpler, more stripped back and acoustic sound, Colin Meloy and the band have created an album that by leaving out a lot gives so much more
Scores (out of 10)
Lyrics - 7
Vocals - 8
Instrumentals -7
Album arrangement - 6 Overall - 7
Favourite Track - January Hymn
By Nathan Murphy
By Nathan Murphy
