Album Reviews

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:

Official site

all reviews | all rock reviews

More reviews tagged #Rock

reviewed 02/2006
BIRD YORK
Wicked Little High
reviewed 04/2011
.FEN
Trails Out Of Gloom
reviewed 04/2013
THE BASICS
Ingredients
reviewed 10/2006
SPARKLEHORSE
Dreamt For Light Years In The Belly Of A Mountain
reviewed 11/2013
Lake Timber
Platypus
reviewed 09/2010
HAYLEY TAYLOR
One Foot In Front of the Other

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.