The Decemberists. Prog for the noughties.

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 22 March 2009

If you enjoyed The Crane Wife but feel it needed a bit more Led Zep influence and a concept album plot featuring vexed maidens, shape-shifting animals, bosky woodlands and a wee bit of child massacre then The Decemberists: The Hazards Of Love may be what you need.

I was not sure wether to head-bang, cringe or just singalong myself but it sure has swagger and a lot more ideas than many artists manage in a career. It also made me listen to an old Horslips album straight afterwards (now that is a guilty pleasure).

Bruce
Posted on: 22 March 2009 by u5227470736789524
New album previewed "live" here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101397853

Not released here in the States until Tuesday, the 24th.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by u5227470736789524
Finally getting a chance to listen to the link above. Preview means they were doing this prior to its US release, but this a complete live version beginning to end. I like it very much. The keyboard/accordion contributions of Jenny Conlee are amazing and the rhythm section, in particular Nate Query on bass, is terrific. It has taken me several years to cozy up to Colin's vocals, but his writing/storytelling is near unique in todays music menu.

When I get this disc tomorrow, it will be getting heavy rotation (via hard disk). This live version is highly recommended to those who are Decemberist fans.

Jeff A
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by Balhoon
I too am loving this cd. Try 'Crack The Skye', Mastodon. More new prog rock
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by patk
looking forward to receiving my copy on march 24 or 25. Smile
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Don't you just love NPR? My find of 'last' year.

Bruce
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by u5227470736789524
NPR is awesome - the amount of unique music offerings is outstanding. The live concerts listings alone are worth frequently checking the site.

In my trolling the net today for all things Decemberists, I discovered the band/Capitol released the new album via iTunes last week. So I now have my own studio version of The Hazards Of Love and it is next up on the player.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by u5227470736789524
If any others reading this are fans of Jenny Conlee, mentioned above, and wish to hear her in a slightly different format, bit torrent http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=522956
of Jenny playing the B3 with Jerry Joseph on vocals and guitar, Junior Ruppel on bass, and Jenny's husband Steve Drizos on drums (collectively the Jackmormons) from mid-Feb '09.
Posted on: 23 March 2009 by Sloop John B
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:It also made me listen to an old Horslips album straight afterwards (now that is a guilty pleasure).

Bruce



And which one was that Bruce?



SJB
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
Originally posted by Sloop John B:
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:It also made me listen to an old Horslips album straight afterwards (now that is a guilty pleasure).

Bruce



And which one was that Bruce?



SJB


'The Book Of Invasions'. It sounded great too. 'The Tain' lurks in my collection and I used to have about 3 or 4 others on vinyl in the days when I owned the black stuff. Some were pretty dreadful if I recall correctly!

Bruce
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by Diccus62
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Don't you just love NPR? My find of 'last' year.

Bruce


I got a personal message from Bob Boilen when I asked him if he liked Rachel Unthank and other British folk artists. Felt well chuffed.

All songs considered is my favourite radio programme. Highly recommended as a podcast too. Some great live stuff on there. Superb way of keeping up to date with new stuff as well as some great old reference points.
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by Bruce Woodhouse
Diccus

I started downloading the concert podcasts recently too, and I'm not a big live music listener but found some really good stuff.

My wife is a huge Leonard Cohen fan and the New York Concert from last year is exceptional.
There is a fine short set from Wilco, and something from SXSW (2008) by The National; but then you already got that one I have no doubt!

...and there is also Yo La Tengo being faintly rubbish. Ho hum.

Bruce
Posted on: 24 March 2009 by Sloop John B
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

'The Book Of Invasions'. It sounded great too. 'The Tain' lurks in my collection and I used to have about 3 or 4 others on vinyl in the days when I owned the black stuff. Some were pretty dreadful if I recall correctly!

Bruce


Indeed 2 of the very best are The Tain



and The Book of Invasions




Nearly up there with those 2 are Happy to meet, sorry to part




and Aliens





There are also as you imply some less essential albums in their cannon! They are one of those bands that have not got the recognition they deserve for unique and unrivalled music.



SJB