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:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 08/2008

    JOAN OSBORNE
    LITTLE WILD ONE

  • reviewed 04/2004

    Sarah Harmer
    All of Our Names

  • reviewed 09/2006

    citizen cope
    Every Waking Moment

  • reviewed 10/2014

    THE BELLE SOUNDS
    Black Stone EP

  • reviewed 09/2014

    BASEMENT JAXX
    Junto

  • reviewed 07/2015

    East India Youth
    Culture Of Volume

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.