The Decemberists

Picaresque

2005-03-31

It’s that voice.

You either like Colin Meloy’s reedy vocals, or you don’t. And depending on your answer, you either like or don’t like The Decemberists, since the entire band is built around him. There’s some nice songwriting and Meloy knows the tricks of the trade: pop hooks and minor-major key wind-up.

A college radio staple, Picaresque may be one of the band’s most commercial-sounding releases in recent memory. You’re entering a world of sea-farers, vagabonds, hucksters, soldiers and angels. No samples here, folks, they’re the real deal from Hammond organ, accordion, earnest strumming, and ok, throw in a tam-tam.

Stella

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 05/2015

    Quiet Company
    Transgressor

  • reviewed 12/1969

    Robyn Hitchcock
    I Wanna Go Backwards BOXSET

  • reviewed 02/2014

    KEN WILL MORTON
    Slow Down

  • reviewed 10/2007

    RILO KILEY
    Under The Black Light

  • reviewed 08/2010

    THE INNOCENCE MISSION
    My Room in the Trees

  • reviewed 01/2006

    ROBERT POLLARD
    From a Compound Eye

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.