Album Review: “The King Is Dead” – The Decemberists
The Decemberists follow up their succession of increasingly ambitious albums with their latest album, The King Is Dead, a further exploration of folk-country music and a return to the low-key sound we first heard on Castaways And Cutouts.
Having listened to The Hazards of Love (their concept album released previous to this one) many times in its entirety, and having listened to my advanced copy of The King Is Dead many, many times over the last couple days, I had an epiphany that the last track on Hazards, “The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)”, was foreshadowing for what we would hear throughout The King Is Dead. Queue up The Hazards of Love and this new album back-to-back on your iPod and you, too, will notice the splendidly seamless transition from the last track on Hazards to the first track on The King Is Dead, contrasting the musical styles on both albums. Jangly and steel guitars are present throughout this new set of songs that continue to show off The Decemberists’ songwriting and musicianship.
Adding to the sound on this album, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck lends a hand on The King Is Dead and his influence is heard throughout. When I first listened to “Down By the Water”, the single which was made available several weeks ago, I felt a familiarity in the sound, but I couldn’t put my finger on it before I knew Buck had contributed to this album. Upon my first listen of the second track, “Calamity Song”, I immediately recognized Buck’s playing and a smile came across my face. As a big R.E.M. fan, I could easily hear Michael Stipe singing the vocals, but I’m happy to hear Colin Meloy’s distinct voice put his signature on the songs. Buck’s collaboration is very welcomed and only enhances The Decemberists’ sound.
The 10 tracks on The King Is Dead span only 40 minutes with no song lasting longer than 5 and a half minutes… a far departure from their previous five albums whose long single-track play times and numerous amount of songs per album were often a barrier of entry when trying to introduce a new listener to The Decemberists. This shuffle-friendly set of songs can easily, and should definitely, be shared with your fellow music lovers.
Overall, I love The King Is Dead. I’ve been listening to lots of Band of Horses, Uncle Tupelo, and Wilco lately, so this album fits right into my current rotation. Whether you’re a long-time fan of The Decemberists or someone who finally wants to check out what they are all about, you need to buy this album.
The King Is Dead has been added to my list of albums that I can play while sitting around enjoying a quiet Sunday morning with my family.
Must Download: “Calamity Song”, “Rise to Me”, “Down By the Water”, “June Hymn”, “This Is Why We Fight”