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
UNA
The Rain is Over and Gone
American Music Club
Love Songs for Patriots
Chris Robinson & the New Earth Mud
This Magnificent Distance
THE BLASTERS
FUN ON A SATURDAY NIGHT
CAROLINE SMITH
Half About Being a Woman
WILLY MASON
If the Ocean Gets Rough
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.