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March 21, 2005
Review: The Decemberists - Picaresque
Mein gott in himmel. I love The Decemberists. I am truly, madly, and deeply in love with every note they've been so gracious as to commit to magnetic tape. I'm very happy to report that that already consuming affection is only intensified by Picaresque (buy it). It's like every other Decemberists record, but moreso. Join me on the lazy river of elaboration, won't you?
A picaresque novel is one that features a sort of roguish anti-hero embarking on a series of (mis)adventures and living by his/her wits alone. So, the obvious question that presents itself is: why did it take the band this long to use that term as an album title? On previous outings, Meloy & Co. have given us tales of lamenting legionnaires, whoring mothers, gypsy uncles, and lascivious mail clerks, to name but a few. Sure enough, Picaresque continues in that grand storytelling tradition with a vengeful mariner, a broke barrowboy, and a couple of serious threats to homeland security. Essentially, this is all to say that there aren't really any serious stylistic deviations from earlier efforts, at least as far as the writing goes.
So what about the music? I'm happy to report that not much has changed there either. Basically, if you've liked everything else they've done, you're going to freaking love Picaresque. Of course, such a non-review is cheating, so here's what's actually going on: The Decemberists have proven over and over again that they're equally adept at bombast and balladry. Epic rockers give way to equally epic, intimate idylls. Then there's usually a mazurka, and the whole thing starts again. This record is no different, save for the fact that everything is kicked up a notch or two (1 notch = 3.5 kilosmidgens).
All of that said, there aren't any songs on this record that I find as deeply affecting on a personal level as I found "Red Right Ankle" from Her Majesty, The Decemberists (buy it), which is one of the best songs ever written and has yet to not break my heart in the best possible way on every listen. But somehow, that stops mattering when the harmonies kick in during the chorus to "We Both Go Down Together." By the time "The Bagman's Gambit" reaches its narrative and sonic apex, I'm like a bored housewife with a tattered, Fabio-adorned romance novel, with all of the gross things that implies. I simply can't believe it's not butter.
In short, it's a Decemberists record through and through. Longtime devotees should rejoice in every note, and newcomers will cast off the ugly, dried husks of their former pre-Decemberists-fan lives and look forward to a glorious hyper-literate tomorrow.
[Ed note: I'm forever indebted to rachis for getting this joint to me while I was in Miami. Props upon props. To the band: I'll buy a legit copy tomorrow, I promise.]
Posted by matt at March 21, 2005 12:23 PM
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Comments
this is an amazing record - 2 EPs and 3 full lengths, they have yet to stumble.
"mariners revenge song" is splenderiffic
Posted by: Dave at April 2, 2005 07:53 PM
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