Label – Capitol/Rough Trade
Produced by Tucker Martine
Decemberists fans have come used to expect the unexpected. There’s a simple reason. For all the musical left turns Colin Meloy takes in order to stretch the sound beyond well worn indie folk constraints, he still has the gift of melody and his band mates continue to fully exploit this skill, along with the dazzling dexterity they have in order to embrace the prog folk and rock opera which featured on their previous release “The Hazards Of Love”. Although “The King Is Dead” shifts genre yet again, it is quite possibly The Decemberists most straightforward album to date. There’s no concept to the proceedings, and the ten tunes lean towards simple roots rock influenced heavily by Meloy’s fixation with R.E.M. Listen to “Calamity Song” and you’re immediately transported to what feels like a long lost relic from “Reckoning”. Inevitably, Peter Buck shows up, adding signature embellishments using 12 string guitar and mandolin. Gillian Welch’s harmony vocals add warmth to many of the songs, particularly the restrained camp fire ballads.
“The King Is Dead” touches all facets of Americana, from the country hoe down of “All Arise”, to the fleeting bluegrass of “Rox In The Box”, along with gentle ballads of the seasons “January Hymn” and “June Hymn”. The best is saved till last with the delicious “Dear Avery”, as the listener is drawn in to the heartfelt story of a seemingly paternal guardian yearning for the safe keeping of a boy who has gone astray. The pedal steel led instrumental section that fades the song out adds to the sense of resigned loss.
Maybe some of The Decemberists quirkiness and complex ambition has taken a back seat for “The King Is Dead”. That said, Colin Meloy’s skilful song writing remains intact and for much of this album, his songs remain deeply engaging.
7/10
1 Don’t Carry It All 4:17
2 Calamity Song 3:50
3 Rise to Me 4:59
4 Rox in the Box 3:10
5 January Hymn 3:14
6 Down by the Water 3:42
7 All Arise! 3:10
8 June Hymn 3:58
9 This Is Why We Fight 5:31
10 Dear Avery 4:52
Down By The Water
This Is Why We Fight
