There's not a ton of bands out there like the Decemberists if we are being honest. Their theatrical, dramatic stories told through the lens of folksy indie rock don't have a modern equal, with some of their songs sounding right at home in the 70s rock scene. Their sound is unique and dynamic, and their albums are often story driven pieces that are best listened to front to back. Today, I'm going to rank them all, from my least to most favorite. This was a fun one, and I came away surprised and a little perplexed as to where each album should lie.
8.Her Majesty the Decemberists (2003)
If you held my feet to the flames and made me think of one word to describe the Decemberists’ second LP, I think I’d go with ‘whimsical.’ Whether it’s the opening track, a sea shanty(actually), or the spacey, almost Elton John-esque ‘Los Angeles, I’m Yours,’ this album is full of fun little twists and turns that help keep the listener invested even through some of their most bland tunes to date. There’s nothing technically bad about anything here, but it’s just more of the same that they would soon do in a much more impactful and thoughtful manner. If you’re looking for period pieces, theatrical performances, and some folk inspirations, give it a go.
Standout tracks: Los Angeles I’m Yours, The Gymnast High Above the Ground, Red Right Ankle
7. Castaways and Cutouts (2002)
The Decemberists brand of quirky, somewhat nerdy indie rock was laid out from their very first LP. Big, over the top stories told through the lens of theatrical, sometimes jam worthy melodies. There is good production at play for a debut record, with some great mixing making sure the unique spread of sound is clear and concise. The instrumentation is varied, and generally pretty solid. You’ll hear guitars (of both the slide and regular variety), accordions, organs, and more. Colin Meloy’s distinctive voice is here from day one as well. Overall, I’d say this is an impressive debut all things considered, and it’s still one I find myself returning to.
Standout tracks: Leslie Anne Levine, Here I Dreamt I was an Architect, July, July!, Odalisque, Grace Cathedral Hill, California One
6. Picaresque (2005)
‘Picaresque’ is when the Decemberists started to really show what they could do, and serves as a big step up from their previous album, ‘Her Majesty the Decemberists’. This album is dynamic, varied, and exciting. It flows incredibly well, and sees them expand and refine their already unique and charismatic sound. The spread of instruments that contribute is impressive, with horns, organs, strings, accordion, and more all packed into a very well produced and mixed offering. Lyrically, it’s as story driven and bombastic as previous releases, and the music and production now match that intensity and theatrical nature. And don’t worry, there’s still a sea shanty for the people of pirate persuasion out there.
Standout tracks: We Both Go Down Together, The Sporting Life, 16 military wives, On the Bus Mall, of Angels of and Angles
5. What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World (2015)
Four years after ‘The King is Dead,’ The Decemberists would return in 2015 with ‘What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World'. This release finds them at their grooviest, and perhaps their loosest, yet. Lots of early pop influences, with the catchy horns in the bridge of ‘Calvary Captain’ really standing out. The record has maybe the best production in their library to date, with thick bass lines and driving drums that cut through the typical Decemberists instrumental spread. It has a nice, classic, almost analogue sound to it that accents their style well. There are some definite folk tracks that would be right at home on ‘The King is Dead’ on offer as well, with a more personal and melancholic tilt. While it lacks the epic, theatrical stylings of some of their past work, there’s still plenty to like on this more personal, straightforward release.
Standout tracks: Cavalry Captain, Make You Better, The Wrong Year, Anti-Summersong, Mistral, a Beginning Song
4. The King is Dead (2011)
Perhaps the biggest outlier in their library, ‘The King is Dead’ followed up the intense, visceral, and heavy ‘Hazards of Love’ with the shorter, simpler, indie folk LP ‘The King is Dead.’ It’s pretty stripped down instrumentally, sticking mostly to the regular trapping you’d hear in the indie folk genre. Not to say that is a bad thing, though, as everything on offer sounds great. Some tracks have almost a southern rock tilt to them, and it is actually pretty refreshing to hear them tackle a style like that. Gone are the long, operatic and theatrical tunes of days gone by, being replaced here with melancholy, mournful folk tunes that make these ears happy.
Standout tracks: Don’t Carry it All, Calamity Song, Rox in the Box, Down by the Water, This is Why We Fight
3. I’ll Be Your Girl (2018)
Their most recent release to date, this album starts off with Colin Meloy lamenting about his lousy luck in life, and instantly stood out as the most personal and introspective the Decemberists have maybe ever gotten. Those themes definitely continue throughout the record, with many of the songs being lyrically more direct and slightly vulnerable, but still poetic and ethereal enough to be true to their signature stylings. They play with their sound here and there as well, with some songs having really fun elements thrown in the mix. There are inspirations that range from folk to 70’s rock to their own previous works. Whether that’s the synth infusion on the dancy rock track ‘Severed,’ or the whimsical dueling vocals on ‘Everything is Awful’, or even the indie rock anthem ‘I’ll Be Your Girl,’ they never really rest on their laurels and still manage to pull out some fun surprises.
Standout tracks: Severed, Starwatcher, Everything is Awful, Sucker's Prayer, I’ll be Your Girl
2. The Crane Wife (2006)
2006 would see the Decemberists make their major label debut, having signed with Capitol Records. ‘The Crane Wife’ is a full, textured, dynamic album which sees the band reach their songwriting apex (well, almost). It’s as flashy and theatrical as anything else they’ve released, with a full and perfectly produced sound to match the dramatic storytelling. Particularly impactful is the three part epic ‘The Island,’ who’s story is based off of ‘The Tempest’ of William Shakespeare fame. It is part folk, part psychedelic, part classic rock, and often all three at once. Nothing else on the record matches the intensity and overall scope of this track, but there’s plenty of other great tracks on offer here that serve as a justified mark of progress for the group.
Standout tracks: The Island, O Valencia, Summersong, Crane Wife Pt. 1 & 2
1. The Hazards of Love (2009)
‘The Hazards of Love’ sees the Decemberists take everything that worked on ‘The Crane Wife’ and turn it up to 11. This time we get a concept album/rock opera, that spins a wild tale told through the lens of a shapeshifter(yeah) who falls in love and impregnates a woman named Margaret who stopped to rescue an injured fawn (yes). It takes many dramatic turns from there, jealous Queens involved and all. That may sound very theatrical and dramatic, and you’d be right. It’s a sometimes absurd rock opera told by a band that is bold and confident in their songwriting skills. It all plays out in a dynamic, heavy, rock forward effort that flows and weaves its story together in an almost effortless way. I recommend a full listen, but have individual tracks to recommend as well (as always). ‘The Hazards of Love’ is a triumph, and remains the Decemberists best release up to this point.
Standout Tracks: Won’t Want for Love(Margaret in the Taiga), the Hazards of Love 2(Wager All), The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid, The Queen's Rebuke/The Crossing, the Hazards of Love 4(the Drowned)
Comments