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
WILL HOGE
Even If It Breaks Your Heart
WILLY MASON
If the Ocean Gets Rough
The Plurals
An Onion Tied To My Belt
BOO CITY
Midnight Folklore
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
STREET SONGS OF LOVE
Dave Barnes
What We Want, What We Get
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.