The Decemberists are a folk rock band which formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon, United States. The band currently consists of Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, pedal steel guitar), Jenny Conlee (organ, piano, accordion), Nate Query (electric bass, acoustic bass, cello) and John Moen (drums). Notable former members include Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) and Jesse Emerson (bass). The band's most recent album, The King Is Dead was released on 17 January 2011.
Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical ("Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect") to epic ("The Tain") to truly dark ("Odalisque"). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists' musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel. Since their debut, their sound has undergone a consistent evolution, most notably in the direction of progressive rock with a strong folk influence, though they have also been described as indie rock and, by Stephen Colbert, as "hyper-literate prog rock." For example, one song, "When the War Came", uses a little-known story from the Siege of Leningrad to describe the heroism of civilian scientists during warfare. The lyrics state: "We made our oath to Vavilov / We'd not betray the solanum / The acres of asteraceae / To our own pangs of starvation". Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov was a Russian botanist whose laboratory, a seedbank containing 200,000 types of plant seeds, many of them edible, was preserved throughout the siege, during which hundreds of thousands of people died.
In March 2005, the Decemberists were reportedly the first band to distribute a music video via BitTorrent -- the self-produced "16 Military Wives" (from Picaresque). That same month, the band's equipment trailer was stolen; fans contributed to a replacement fund, and another fund-raiser was organized via an eBay auction, with buyers bidding for copies of Colin Meloy Sings Morrissey and original art work by Carson Ellis. They also received help from Lee Kruger, The Shins, The Dandy Warhols and other musicians. The Martin Guitar Company offered six- and twelve-string guitars on permanent loan. In early April, police discovered the trailer in Clackamas, Oregon, and a fair amount of the band's merchandise, but the instruments and equipment were not recovered.
On 12 December 2005, Meloy revealed to Pitchfork Media that they had signed to Capitol Records, and planned to begin recording their major label debut with producers Tucker Martine and Chris Walla, of Death Cab For Cutie fame, in April 2006. The Decemberists' first album on Capitol, and their first major label debut, The Crane Wife, was released on 3 October 2006. The release was accompanied by an appearance the same day on the world-wide syndicated TV talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the track "O Valencia!" was performed. The Decemberists began their tour in support of The Crane Wife, with The Rout of the Patagons Tour, on 17 October 2006, at Portland, Oregon's Crystal Ballroom. Their opening act was Lavender Diamond. Later on in the tour, Alasdair Roberts opened for the band.
In July 2007 the Decemberists set out on a five-date tour with a full orchestral accompaniment. On 7 July, the tour put the group on the stage of the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time in their career, and they were joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. On 15 July the group performed with The Mann Festival Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then played a free concert in Chicago, Ilinois, at the recently developed Millennium Park with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. In September 2007 they also played at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2007, they began The Long and Short of It Tour. However, having completed the European portion of the tour and immediately after playing the Chicago dates, the rest of the tour was canceled due to illness.
On 24 March 2009, the band released The Hazards of Love, their fifth album. The album's first single, "The Rake's Song", was made available for free on the band's website. The album featured guest appearances from My Brightest Diamond, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond, Robyn Hitchcock and Jim James. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200.
On 11 January 2011, the band released their sixth album The King Is Dead. The band released the first single "Down by the Water" for free on their website. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States and is the highest charting album in the band's career. The second single, "This Is Why We Fight" was released on January 25, 2011.
@shauno5166 I definitely agree with you. You're missing Her Majesty however with is also excellent.
Castaways and cutouts: perfect Picaresque: perfect The Crane Wife: perfect Hazards of love: decent The King is Dead: I nearly shot myself Well at least there first three albums are still fantastic. Hopefully there next album wont be awful [2]
You're full of it, this album is perfect from start to finish. There isn't one boring track here.
Castaways and cutouts: perfect Picaresque: perfect The Crane Wife: perfect Hazards of love: decent The King is Dead: I nearly shot myself Well at least there first three albums are still fantastic. Hopefully there next album wont be awful
This album is on my 2011 Top 10: http://www.osarcofago.blogspot.com/2011/12/os-melhores-discos-de-2011-parte-1.html
The hidden track at the end of This Is Why We Fight is my favorite song on the album. And I'm being 70% serious.
I hadn't listened to this album all the way through in a while (I assume that having "June Hymn" on repeat all summer doesn't really count). I gave it a listen last night and just fell in love all over again. I liked "The King is Dead" just fine at first but it has grown on me to an unreal extent.
Like everyone else said, this and Crane Wife are dangerously close for their best album.
The further we go along this year, I realize how wonderful an album this is. In same sentiments as recent posters, The Crane Wife is my favorite by them, this is close and getting closer.
I'm seriously debating whether or not to call this their best album. The only rival for me would be Crane Wife.
The one to beat for album of the year...
"The Crane Wife" was always my favorite by them, but this one may have overtaken it. And after seeing them perform (in support of it) last night, that was the final thing that did it. They were more playful on stage! And really happy to have everyone hear the new stuff, which the crowd ate up. If you can, make sure to catch this album's tour! :D
June and January Hymns are awesome. Also I'm a sucker for harmonicas.
Wow, what a damned good album. I am very surprised it is this good, definitely the best I've heard by this band so far.
HATE: "All Arise". DISLIKE: "Rox in the Box". LIKE: "Rise to Me", "Dear Avery", "Calmity Song" REALLY LIKE: "Don't Carry It All", "This Is Why We Fight" LOVE: "January Hymn", "Down by the Water", "January Hymn" That's my feelings for the album.
boooooooring
They're nearly a dead ringer for Blue Rodeo at a lot of times on this album. Not that that's a bad thing.
The Decemberists' answear to Radiohead
i feel like they listened to all my favorite albums, and then cut this one.
I, too, am in love with this album. there are only 2 songs on it I'm not crazy about- All Arise and Rise to Me- and I cannot stop playing June Hymn. Colin Meloy is a songwriting genius...
I cannot get enough of this album. [2]
Remebers me on "toad the wet sprocked" sometimes.
Haha. Like "The Queen Is Dead". Smiths reference. Very clever, Decemberists.
I think it's their best one. and other albums will do hard beating them for the album-of-the-year -2011-award!
Y'know I didn't think this country/bluegrass jam would be any good but... I really like this new album. In fact for the first time ever, I actually like all of the songs on a 'The Decemberists' album. Trying to describe this to my parents I did not jump to R.E.M (parents don't know who they are)... I actually described it as having just a bit of John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot and Simon & Garnfunkel. For the instrumental-parts and ballardish-bits. Personal favorites are 'Rox in the Box', 'Calamity Song', and the 'Hymns'. Oh who am I kidding, I can't decide a favorite. I love em all.
I cannot get enough of this album.
great album =)
I feel like Colin was listening to Harvest the entire time they made this album.
Pretty fucking awesome. Rox In The Box's Irish influenece is noted and appreciated.
Wow, the country influences are an added bonus. This music is wonderful. The Decemberists never let me down.
SO. MUCH. HARMONICA. Don't hate it though. Just saying.
I think the Country influences are really wonderful. This is a great album. I'm impressed.
I don't think it's my favorite, but I do like it a lot. And it's nice to see them exploring new styles and influences.
Definitely their worst. Country influences kill this album. I'm disappointed because this is first Decemberists record I don't like. But cover art is great.
The Decemberists never disappoint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wasn't sure what to expect with all the comments about how mellow the new album was, but this is very good. The Decemberists never disappoint.
I cannot stop listening to this album. It is so wonderful.
AWESOME. Just. AWESOME. [2]
Guessing it'll grow on me. That's usually how it works with these guys.
If these guys ever put out an album I don't like, I'll be amazed.
AWESOME. Just. AWESOME.
Loving this album, I am a sucker for pretty, rustic melodies, and they abound here.
sounds pretty good. more stripped down than the rest of their albums....
Oh my god I am so in love.
Take a look ^^
http://www.last.fm/user/AlmostSunrise1/journal/2011/01/11/45ibcd_the_decemberists_-_the_king_is_dead_album_review?success=1
my new favourite decemberists album!!!
Their best yet, and I'm not a fan exactly. But this is pretty great.
hmmmm...
lindo[2]