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
The Helio Sequence
Keep Your Eyes Ahead
CROWDED HOUSE
Time on Earth
JOE STRUMMER
The Future Is Unwritten
STRAWBS
DANCING TO THE DEVIL'S BEAT
Janove Ottensen
Francis' Lonely Nights
SAM SMITH
In The Lonely Hour
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