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
HEAVY TRASH
Going Way Out With Heavy Trash
Various Artists
The Dialogue Music Disc 2005
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
Forgiveness Rock Record
PEGGY SUE
Choir of Echoes
ANDERS OSBORNE
COMING DOWN
Nine Inch Nails
Halo Thirty One
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