Sorry for the long delay on artist/album reviews but my life had some pressing/super-important needs that needed my time and devotion. Another thing that needs some time and devotion is the hour long affair that is The Decemberists‘ The Hazards Of Love. Their 5th studio album is quite a lot to take in (much like The Crane Wife) and is perfect if you have a Sunday afternoon to set aside and listen to it – The Hazards Of Love really begs to be listened to all at once without breaks if possible (perhaps that’s why they performed it in it’s entirety at this year’s SXSW). You get the idea of the album from the get go with the soft and rolling “The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” that flows directly into the loud and brash “A Bower Scene”. It has a rock opera-ish feel sometimes but not in a campy way. The Decemberists really want to make some louder songs on this album, and I can’t complain. It’s nice to hear such a dramatic fluctuation of emotion throughout the 17 songs. That being said we all know The Decemberists are about the lyrics and it continues on this one. I can’t think of another band that invests so much time in creating stories and tales that run through an album like a off Broadway play. I’m still hold The Crane Wife as my favorite album of The Decemberists, but The Hazards Of Love is a worthy follow up. They’ll be touring in May so make sure you check the dates after the jump.
mp3: The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song
mp3: The Decemberists – The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)
Continue reading ‘Suggested Listening: The Decemberists’ “The Hazards Of Love”’
Aren’t you excited about the Decemberists‘ new album The Hazards Of Love due out on March 24th? Well you should be. Their first single “The Rake’s Song” was gruff and intense and simply great…now here’s this:
mp3: The Decemberists – The Hazards Of Love (thanks to PMA)
A bit calmer than “The Rake’s Song” and a tad more beautiful. I am now thoroughly pumped for the end of March. For those of you heading out to SXSW you should swing by NPR’s deal to see The Decemberists perform The Hazards Of Love in it’s complete form. There’s also a contest to design the poster for the show. Check it out here. Good luck!
This new Decemberists album The Hazards Of Love (out March 24th) looks like it will be a good one. They just put out the first single from in “The Rake’s Song” and it has some serious anger and intensity that I’m not used to hearing in Mr. Meloy’s voice. It’s refreshing and exciting.
mp3: The Decemberists – The Rake’s Song
As a bonus you can even let Colin know what you think via twitter.
This upcoming March is shaping up to be one masterful month of new music. I’m chalking it up to it being my birthday month, but PERHAPS there are other reasons. One more release to keep an eye out for is the long awaited album from The Decemberists. It’s been a while since we’ve heard a full album of new material from these guys so here’s to hoping it’s along the same level as The Crane Wife. The album is titled Hazards Of Love and is due in stores on March 24th. Remember this one?
mp3: The Decemberists – When The War Came
Tonight in Baltimore Orange Opera, The Moneynotes, Neal Page, Jason Dove, and The Swims play the Talking Head while The Decemberists and Loch Lomond play Rams Head Live. Also in Charm City is a great live band, Telesma, who perform at Metro Gallery. Down in DC The Sea and Cake play the Black Cat with Death Vessel. Finally up north in Philadelphia, Like A Fox and BC Camplight play Johnny Brenda’s, while Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady play the Electric Factory. You don’t want to miss David Byrne who plays the amazing Tower Theater, or Mates of State who play The Trocadero with Brother Reade.
mp3: Jason Dove – They’re Watching You
mp3: Talking Heads – And She Was
mp3: The Decemberists – The Chimney Sweep
mp3: Mates Of State – Jigsaw
Tonight it’s going to be hard to choose which show to see. At the 8×10 Eureka Birds have their CD Release show (it’s an awesome album!) while NYC’s The Bloodsugars and The Lisps play Metro Gallery. It’s a tough decision. Down south in DC The Gutter Twins play the Black Cat while Scott Miller and Vandaveer take on Iota in Arlington, VA. Up north in Philly there’s a load of great shows to go to. The Sea and Cake play First Unitarian Church, The Decemberists play the Electric Factory with Loch Lomond, The Mountain Goats perform at the Fillmore at the TLA with Kaki King, and finally Illinois, Aderbat, and Drink Up Buttercup liven up The Fire. Enjoy!
mp3: Eureka Birds – Dinosaurs
mp3: The Decemberists – Eli, The Barrowboy
mp3: Vandaveer – Roman Candle
mp3: The Bloodsugars – Saint Of Containment
mp3: The Lisps – Brackish Water
mp3: Drink Up Buttercup – Seasickness Pills
mp3: Aderbat – Recycled Language
Photo by Julie Massimini
Off of the upcoming Always The Bridesmaids : Vol 1 (out October 14th), The Decemberists come out with “Valerie Plame”, a song about the outted CIA operative we all almost forgot about. The song is quite pleasant and if you’re a fan of Colin Meloy or The Decemberists (which we are) then this one will surely bring a smile to your face.
mp3: The Decemberists – Valerie Plame
Pre Order The Decemberists’ Always The Bridesmaids : Vol 1 12″ from Insound
Apparently whichever band members illness caused the cancellation of their Long and Short of it tour is good as new, as the Decemberists will be playing four shows in January. From their website:
We are pleased to announce that the Decemberists will be playing four shows in the Northwest next month – January 22 and 23 at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland and January 30 and 31 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. We know this may be a small consolation to those of you outside of Portland and Seattle that had tickets to the fall tour, but the band has rested up, and was excited to play some dates close to home. These shows will be neither Longs nor Shorts, just good ol’ fashioned Decemberists shows.
A limited number of tickets are available Friday, December 14 at NOON Pacific time at The Decemberists’ ticketing site. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning the following Friday. Check venue websites for complete information.
Good news indeed. Go get those tickets Seattle and Portland peeps.
Mp3: The Decemberists – Sons and Daughters — website — buy
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