Decemberist's "Hazards" a must-listen
Bob Kasper
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Scene
After their mediocre 2006 release, "The Crane Wife," the Decemberists come back with an album that sounds like it has been ripped from the pages of some book of fairytales.
"The Hazards of Love" tells the story of falling in love with a girl named Margaret, then having a forest queen meddle with the plans and bring forth great tragedy. Like any other album by the Portland, OR-based quintet, there is a flair for the theatrical.
When listening to this album, there is something that must be noted: it is a 17-track suite. This album could be and should be listened to as, a one hour long track. There are no silences between the tracks. Instead they advance as if they were one so as to create what almost feels like an opera.
This opera of sorts even has an excellent set of female vocals provided by Jenny Conlee.
From a musical standpoint, the album is the most focused by the band to date. It must be stated that Colin Meloy has an unquenchable thirst for British folk melodies that this album exploits. The lyrics are also very well-written. The story advances carefully: from falling in love, to having the love taken away, and the dangers of selling off your soul for material gains.
The combination of folk rock and fairytale vocals makes for an acquired taste which, once attained, cannot always easily be quenched. People who are already fans of the albums "Picaresque" and "The Crane Wife" will note that there is a completely different sound on this album than previously heard. Do not fear, however: the songwriting is absolutely solid. It is a Decemberists album through and through.
Highlights of the album are definitely the tracks "The Wanting Comes in Waves-Repaid" and "The Abduction of Margaret." The use of a harpsichord in the former helps set it apart from anything the band has done before. Also, this track is the emotional climax of the album.
To fully appreciate it, a full listen-through is necessary. The latter takes much of its music from the earlier track "A Bower Scene." This arrangement of music allows for the story to be continued in much the same way as an opera brings back certain thematic elements for emphasis.
Overall, this album is a must-buy for fans of indie rock and for people who want an album that can transport the listener to a far-away land for an hour's escape.
"The Hazards of Love" tells the story of falling in love with a girl named Margaret, then having a forest queen meddle with the plans and bring forth great tragedy. Like any other album by the Portland, OR-based quintet, there is a flair for the theatrical.
When listening to this album, there is something that must be noted: it is a 17-track suite. This album could be and should be listened to as, a one hour long track. There are no silences between the tracks. Instead they advance as if they were one so as to create what almost feels like an opera.
This opera of sorts even has an excellent set of female vocals provided by Jenny Conlee.
From a musical standpoint, the album is the most focused by the band to date. It must be stated that Colin Meloy has an unquenchable thirst for British folk melodies that this album exploits. The lyrics are also very well-written. The story advances carefully: from falling in love, to having the love taken away, and the dangers of selling off your soul for material gains.
The combination of folk rock and fairytale vocals makes for an acquired taste which, once attained, cannot always easily be quenched. People who are already fans of the albums "Picaresque" and "The Crane Wife" will note that there is a completely different sound on this album than previously heard. Do not fear, however: the songwriting is absolutely solid. It is a Decemberists album through and through.
Highlights of the album are definitely the tracks "The Wanting Comes in Waves-Repaid" and "The Abduction of Margaret." The use of a harpsichord in the former helps set it apart from anything the band has done before. Also, this track is the emotional climax of the album.
To fully appreciate it, a full listen-through is necessary. The latter takes much of its music from the earlier track "A Bower Scene." This arrangement of music allows for the story to be continued in much the same way as an opera brings back certain thematic elements for emphasis.
Overall, this album is a must-buy for fans of indie rock and for people who want an album that can transport the listener to a far-away land for an hour's escape.
Be the first to comment on this story