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
SCOTT MILLER AND THE COMMONWEALTH
Reconstruction
CLEAN AS DIRT
They Will Remember Me
NEIL DIAMOND
The Bang Years 1966-1968
Al and the Black Cats
Shakin At The Knees
THE WINTERPILLS
The Light Divides
PERSEPHONE'S BEES
Notes From The Underworld
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