The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
The Decemberist’s haven’t exactly kept a low profile since their last album; The Crane Wife came out in 2006. For those paying attention, 2007 and 2008 saw the release of the band’s three volume single ‘Always The Bridesmaid’, a DVD release, and a tour which put them on stage at the Hollywood Bowl, and now they’re back with their fifth, full length studio album The Hazards of Love.
The inspiration for this album apparently came about when Meloy stumbled across the 1966 EP entitled The Hazards of Love by Anne Briggs, the EP didn’t actually feature a song with this title and so Meloy set out to write one. This title track is a cut into four pieces that intersperse the album in true Decemberist style, much in the same way as The Crane Wife song did on their previous album. The overall theme appears to be about a dark and turbulent relationship, which is unveiled in instalments as the Meloy guides us through a dense thicket of layered guitars, organs, pianos and various cameo vocals from the likes of Robyn Hitchcock, Shara Worden, Becky Stark and Rebecca Gates.
With each release the band seems to have moved slightly further away from their indie rock roots and ever closer to the realms of progressive rock, and The hazards of Love is no exception. This seventeen track concept album finds Meloy in full story telling mode and this wilderness of musical backdrops blend effortlessly together almost to the extent that it’s difficult to tell when one song finishes and another one begins. This is the definitive Decemberist’s sound, and the sited influences of the band can be heard but throughout but there’s also a hint of bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd beginning to creep in, and the at points it actually starts to border on psychedelic during songs such as The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!), which features a child chorus and a range of unintelligible background noises.
In general a lot of Indie bands appear to do one of two things after a few albums, that is, either to carry on with the same sound, or to go off on a complete tangent into the realms of experimentation with loops and synths etc. The Decmeberists seem to have struck a rare balance which actually sees them getting better and better with each release, they further themselves musically without losing site of their original sound, and leaving their fanbase high and dry in the process. This is a superb album that sees the band doing just this, it’s not just ‘more of the same’ it’s a well thought out and intelligently constructed concept album which could easily become the favourite amongst fans and an easy access point for new listeners into the melon collie world of The Decemberists.
I love the decemberists! the music is very different and these guys are definitely very talented, would love to hear more music from them! please do keep me posted! thanks! cheers..
The band's songs range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads, and often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In its lyrics, the band eschews the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as "My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist" from the 5 Songs EP and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" on Picaresque
You can tell within the first few minutes of listening to The Hazards Of Love that there was an illustrious plan intended for the record. It turns out that plan was a musical, which seems less of a failure when you realize it was executed by indie folk rock band The Decemberists
I’ve got an Orange 4-10 cab just begging for it. I’m really excited: I’ve never rocked out before! All my youth was full of lots of jangling. I was into these bands where rocking wasn’t cool, where guitar solos weren’t cool. This will be my belated metal phase.
Even in their most grandiose moments ("A Bower Scene"), the Colin Meloy-led (vocals, guitar) five-piece (Chris Funk – guitar; Jenny Conlee – keyboard, organ; Nate Query – bass; John Moen – drums) never reached the epic heights of tamer rock opera affairs from Trans-Siberian Orchestra and is soon rotating between reintroductions to the folk opuses that we all grew to love in The Crane Wife (2006) and medieval quests.
I am a huge fan of The Decemberists, but when I first began listening to The Hazards of Love I was having difficulty absorbing it. For starters its a lengthy album, which isnt uncommon for them. With 17 tracks, the entire album spans almost a full hour. im not complaining though
They are one of the great artists I ever known. Though not all people like their style, I must say that they are still the best! I hope there's something more with their piece so that we can really enjoy.
The Decemberist simply rock… love their style and now you can download them via itunes. Pretty sweet..
Loovvee this music, got my bf into them too haha.
Great band I'm excited to show them to more of my friends.
Good music.
simple but good music.
The music looks interesting and I loved.
I didn't heard about them but i will open youtube now and give them a try
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The Genre of music pops out to every person's expectation. The artist complements the simplicity of the music that makes it a good tandem. Awesome music in package.