Album Review: The Decemberists - The King Is Dead

The Decemberists - The King is Dead (2011, Capitol Records)

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For The Decemberists, you can go back again. After two sprawling, epic concept albums, Colin Meloy and company return to a sound originating from their first few albums. This means more straightforward pop songs instead of massive ten-plus minute songs. The Decemberists' brand of pop has always been different than anyone else's. It has a flare of old-time nostalgia mixed with country, bluegrass, and a multitude of other genres. It gives their albums something of a dated feel, but they are still so progressively modern that it can be difficult to really get a grasp for their music. For example, Their song "The Infanta" was used in the TV show Mad Men, and to my knowledge is still the only modern song used in the show, which is set in the early 60's.

The King is Dead is a solid album, but at this point in their careers (this being their 6th album), it is hard for the band to add new layers to a sound that is already unique to themselves.

Track 1: Don't Carry It All
This could easily a Tom Petty song, just from the intro. It becomes apparent very early that this might be the most pop-driven album The Decemberists have made. This really doesn't even sound like The Decemberists to me. Maybe that's why the song is all about the changing of the season. It's a metaphor for their change in sound.
Verdict: 7/10

Track 2: Calamity Song
I like the little guitar riff in this song. Very lighthearted for such a depressing song. "Calamity Song" is very reminiscent of one of my favorite Decemberists songs, "July, July!". It even matches in macabre lyricism. Who just uses California sinking under a giant earthquake as a throwaway lyric?
Verdict: 8/10


Track 3: Rise To Me
The first slower, subdued song on The King is Dead. I have always thought that Decemberists were very good at these types of songs. This style really fits Colin's vocal style much more than anything fast paced. He really has a voice made for slow, melancholy tracks. He should have just been a country artist.
Verdict: 8/10

My Year In Lists: The 25 Best Albums of 2010

25. Strand of Oaks - Pope Killdragon

I'm finding it increasingly harder to describe this album. Is it a folk album? It could certainly pass for it. Introspective, sprawling songwriting is a staple on Pope Killdragon. It also has shades of progressive rock, metal, and post-rock. It also has a song about Dan Akroyd and his emotions after the death of John Belushi. And it's actually a really good song! Even when he is writing about relatively nonsensical things, Tim Showalter still manages to make captivating music.

Standout Tracks: Killdragon, Sterling, Daniel's Blues, Last To Swim

24. Surfer Blood - Astrocoast

I like to consider this album the antithesis to the surf rock genre. While it definitely shares the sound of the other bands in the genre, the lyrical content plays more like it is mocking the genre instead of glorifying it. Surfer Blood also has more of a punk tinge to their sound. I love the sardonic nature of their lyrics as well.

Standout Tracks: Floating Vibes, Swim, Take it Easy, Catholic Pagans

My Year In Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2010, 50-26

2010 has come to a close. So what's more important than counting down the best albums of the year? I can't think of a single thing. When I look back at this year musically, I have a couple thoughts. A lot of well established artists released good material (Arcade Fire, The National, Kanye West, LCD Soundsystem, for example), Some long awaited rap albums finally saw daylight (Big Boi and Kanye), and punk music had something of a revival (Male Bonding, Titus Andronicus, Tyvek, Let's Wrestle, etc.). Those topics will show up a considerable amount in this list. All in all, it was a great year for music.

50. Liam The Younger - Revel Hidden Worlds

Just a nice, simple, relatively straightforward record.

Standout Tracks: Crossed Water, Lie, Ode

49. S. Carrey - All We Grow

A beautifully lush, low key album from one of the members of Bon Iver.

Standout Tracks: In The Dirt, Mothers, Action

48. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles (II)

A surprisingly cohesive sophomore album from Crsytal Castles.

Standout Tracks: Baptism, Suffocation, Vietnam

47. Jónsi - Go

Although the absence of a full Sigur Ros limits him a little, Jónsi's still manages to put out a sonically beautiful album.

Standout Tracks: Go Do, Animal Arithmetic, Boy Lilikoi

46. Yeasayer - Odd Blood

Frustratingly top heavy, but the first half is very, very good.

Standout Tracks: Ambling Amp, Madder Red, O.N.E.