Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away I fell in love with The Decemberists.
The charm and wit of their anachronistic tales are as compelling a lesson in historical entertainment as any film. Their songs drip with villainy, buxom wenches and fevered deception but speak just as much about modern guilt and confusion.
Five full albums into a career which seems to have scandalously passed the majority by until 2006’s ‘The Crane Wife’ comes this 17 song suite ‘The Hazards of Love’, by far their most accomplished release. Too easily and too long dismissed as Arcade Fire knock offs, The Decemberists have a sustained body of work which is arguably better than their Canadian contemporaries.
Here, bursting with rockier moments and following familiar lyrical territory without sounding formulaic, the band present the story of Margaret, ravaged by her lover – a shape shifting animal – through various character arcs and songwriter/vocalist Colin Meloy’s narrative, counterpointed by guest contributions from Becky Stark (Lavender Diamond), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) and Jim James (My Morning Jacket).
When it’s usually easy to isolate a track or two from most albums ‘The Hazards of Love’ defies convention, demanding you listen from start to finish and be amply rewarded for doing so. That said, ‘The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid’ – a brilliant melding of folk and blistering metal - is a standout piece as is the piquant pop and foppery of ‘The Rakes Song’.
A perfect album. So where do they go from here?
www.decemberists.com
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