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 01/2012

    WILLAMENA
    Lost in the Shadows

  • reviewed 10/2010

    BLACKBERRY WINTER
    The Standale LP

  • reviewed 04/2012

    THE BURNING OF ROME
    (Selections from the forthcoming album) With Us

  • reviewed 06/2009

    STARDEATH AND WHITE DWARFS
    The Birth

  • reviewed 10/2007

    VARIOUS ARTISTS
    Secret Love 3

  • reviewed 01/2011

    FUJIYA & MIYAGI
    Ventriloquizzing

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.