THE DECEMBERISTS * THE KING IS DEAD
(Capitol Records)
In recent years, Colin Meloy has made it a habit of being unpredicatable. Just when The Decemberists were carving out a comfy little segment of the ever-fickle indie rock world with Picaresque and The Crane Wife, he went ahead and commissioned his fellow 12th-monthers to do the unthinkable...release the modified rock opera, The Hazards of Love. After that [surprisingly] satisfying experiment, one would think that The Decemberists would jump back to the feel of albums prior...well that couldn't be more incorrect.
The King is Dead is a far cry from The Decemberists of old. Trading maritime themes for songs of lament, anthemic arrangements for country twang, Meloy & gang show us that they really can do anything they want...and we will listen. From the harmonica-rich opening to R.E.M.'s obvious influence (which Meloy had said many times over would be prominent), The Decemberists crafted a record that will simultaneously please their existing fan base, while also exposing the Portland residents to a whole new crowd.
For anyone that follows Colin Meloy on Twitter, you know that he in no way lacks confidence or robust opinion. There are times on The King is Dead where I really wish that attitude would've shined through a bit more. The structure of the album is a bit puzzling as the strongest tracks are definitely placed near the beginning; it seems to lose a little steam as it goes on...or maybe I'm just expecting to be dazzled track after track. The song order can be forgiven, though, thanks to the brilliant choice of featuring Gillian Welch throughout the album. The casualness of her sultry vocals complement Meloy's perfectly.
The King is Dead can't really be classified a departure for The Decemberists, but rather just the next step in the guessing game that is their career.
Grade: A-
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