The Decemberists

I've just listened to the Decemberists new album - The King Is Dead -and it is immense. It's also a bit of a departure from their previous offerings. Has anyone managed to catch this great music...and who else has served up quality Americana as a change of musical direction?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Swift on January 16, 2011 at 2:37pm
It's a refreshing experience compared to their last album which was a bit of a struggle for me. 'January Hymn' is one of the most moving records I've heard in a long time and even though it's a change of direction it feels like they've just found their true voice. Quality jangle too from Peter Buck.
Permalink Reply by steviedal on January 17, 2011 at 1:48pm

Listening to it right now , really good . First of theirs i've heard though and i certainly don't fancy the others !

As for the question , Elvis Costello maybe ? From new wave / power pop to Americana on Almost Blue and King Of America ?

Elvis Presley in the late 60's - movie novelty crap to Guitar Man  etc ?

Permalink Reply by T Hanssen on January 19, 2011 at 11:59am

This album is $3.99 as downloads for one day only on Amazon (1/19/1...

 

I downloaded and will listen when I get a chance.

 

I know bands don't necessarily like Amazon doing cut rate pricing like this, but I probably wouldn't have gotten around to grabbing this without it (last album I got by them was The Crane Wife)

 

The cd is at $6.99 - not sure of how long that pricing will stay in place.

Permalink Reply by kurt keppler on January 19, 2011 at 5:29pm
All their stuff is great. Interesting REM influences present on the new album.  I have always enjoyed them the most on headphones.....
Permalink Reply by David Haskin on January 20, 2011 at 9:54am
I was reading in some business publication or another the other day about AmazonMP3's discounts.  The artists and labels shouldn't care -- Amazon is paying them in full and absorbing the loss as a way of building market share against iTunes. Some business analysts question whether this strategy is working for Amazon, but it sure works for me -- I am regularly gobbling up good music cheap on Amazon.
Permalink Reply by robert raymond on January 19, 2011 at 8:49pm
Listened to "the King is Dead" a few times and it has already taken hold.  Not sure I can answer "who else" but it does seem like there is a trend in this direction. Hopefully it continues
Permalink Reply by David Haskin on January 20, 2011 at 9:49am
I was never a Decemberists fan -- the concept albums and faux British thing was too studied, too precious for my taste. But AmazonMP3 had the album Tuesday for $3.99, so I bought it on impulse and I absolutely love it. This is an album of acoustic-based songs, not concepts. The songs are exceptionally well-written, the production is clear and unfettered, the harmonies are delightful. And, I find their turn toward folk/alt-country refreshing. I've given it two full listens and a partial listen and I won't be surprised if this ends up on my Best of 2011 list.
Permalink Reply by Steve Swift on January 23, 2011 at 12:49pm

I've played this about, oh 30 times this week, and I can't recall being so instantly bowled over by an album.

 

Its clarity is astounding and the the marriage of  early English folk influences and contemporary Americana/indie seems absoloutely natural and organic. The songs breathe with a purity and restraint which communicates sincerity and gratitude, it is a very honest record. I've never paid much attention to Colin Meloy before bit on this his lyrics resonate with beauty and colour. The bit where the female voices come in towards the end of 'Dear Avory' is spine-tingling - the production values throughout are perfect.

 

Can't wait to see them live in Leeds (UK) in March and to hear how that gorgeous pedal steel/fiddle sound comes over in person. What a start to the year this has been.

Permalink Reply by Tony Moulder on January 26, 2011 at 3:01am

Haven`t bought this album yet but I will because I love Colin Meloy`s songwriting very much.

Tony

Permalink Reply by Bob Bryan on January 26, 2011 at 8:00am
John Hiatt's "Bring the Family" comes to mind as a shift to Americana, and one that launched his career to a new level.  He never looked back.  Perhaps something similar is in store for the Decemberists, considering they now have a #1 album.  Portland indie kids make good -- pretty cool to see.
Permalink Reply by Kyla Fairchild on January 26, 2011 at 9:55am
I really like some of the Decemberists stuff, The Crane Wife for example, and other albums not so much. I was curious to check out this latest one based on some mixed reports I'd been seeing. Just listened to it for the first time this morning and I instantly loved it! I do respect any band that mixes it up and tries different musical styles rather than sticking with the same sound over and over again.
Permalink Reply by Kyla Fairchild on January 26, 2011 at 3:22pm

Just read in Billboard that "The Decemberists claim their first No. 1 album as "The King Is Dead" debuts atop the Billboard 200 with a career-high 94,000 sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan." 

 

Greg Allman's new one also made the chart at #5 with 36,000 sold.

 

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Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Apr 9.