Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Is this album going to be hyper-literate?

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Cliff Notes will be included

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

They played a new track on Sirius XMU. I'd say it sounded more like Fables of the Reconstruction than Reckoning. :)

http://www.decemberists.com/assets/i...lbum_cover.gif

Here's a segment of the song. The female vocal is Gillian Welch.

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Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

:up: Looking forward to this. They played a couple of the new tracks in September when they played at MFNW here. Sounded good.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Anybody want to loan me $165:

http://www.decemberists.com/

http://decemberists.com/wp-content/t...ges/sd-pck.png

* Limited edition of 2500 available exclusively on thedecemberists.com
* A one-of-a-kind Polaroid photograph by Autumn de Wilde from the Impossible Project/Decemberists series
* 72 page hardcover book featuring over 250 unique Polaroid photographs by Autumn de Wilde and illustrations by Carson
Ellis
* The King Is Dead CD
* Pendarvia DVD – a 30 minute short film by Aaron Rose, documenting the making of the album
* The King Is Dead on 180 gram white vinyl with special cover
* Limited edition Giclée print illustrated by Carson Ellis
* Digital album download code delivered on January 18
* Instant download of live video of "Rise To Me" from Musicfest Northwest in Portland, Fall 2009
* Instant download of "Down By The Water"
* All presented in a linen wrapped, clamshell box with
foil-stamped cover

Deluxe Box Edition: $165
Deluxe Box Edition + T-Shirt: $180

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

The song that really sounds like early REM is Calamity Song. It's got a very Peter Buck like riff and rocks way harder than the rest of the record. It's all pretty good but still not feeling it's close to their best work.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Did you get a promotional copy or something?

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

They're streaming it for free on NPR's website, so I'll guess that's where he heard it.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Yeah, I've been streaming it from NPR all morning. It's not really sticking, but it's pleasant enough for background noise.

There may be a few standout tracks, usually takes a few listens... I got really into these guys around when the 5 Song EP/Castaways and Cutouts came out and loved the sea chanty-esque feel and Colin's distinct voice and lyrics. The style seemed like it would be a hard sound to keep fresh, develop and reach a broader audience, without sounding too similar or too reinvented on each album. I actually think they have evolved intelligently, but I just don't connect to the new stuff like the older stuff. I think they are a good band and I may pick up this album at some point, but for me I think I just got burnt out on them.

That being said there is always a track or two that I like on the new albums and 5 songs, C&C and Her Majesty... are 3 solid albums. I liked the Crane Wife a lot more than I thought I would too.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Ah, link for the ignorant like myself:

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/03/132436...e-king-is-dead

BTW, Calamity Song is fantastic.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

You didn't mention Picaresque so I'm guessing you don't like it. It's my favorite Decemberists album. Wondering why you don't like it.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

It's been around for about 3 weeks now.

Really dig it. Best album of the year so far :p. After about 5-6 listens I have it rated at ***1/2. Solid choice to start out the year.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

I think Picaresque just came out at a bad time for me. I remember being excited for a new Decemberists album, but somewhat apprehensive and probably about burnt out on the band at that time. It came out and I spun it for a couple weeks, then pretty much forgot it. I don't remember anything resoundingly bad about it, but for whatever reason, I rarely revisit it. It just never resonated with me.

I should probably add it into the mix this week and give it a fair shake.

I think the Tarkio album was released within a year or so(?) of Picaresque and I was fond of that. Also, the Colin Meloy sings Morrissey EP has remained a go to for years.

I don't think I have even listened to a moment of the EP that was the companion piece for Picaresque. For whatever reason... Picaresque got the cold shoulder from me, possibly wrongfully so.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Best REM song in a long time:

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Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Nope. I thought it was fantastic and can't wait for this new one.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

With Becky Stark and Shara Worden on vocals. Must have been from the HOL tour. Come to think of it, I think they played a new song I didn't recognize.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

You would think they could autograph that $165 package, but I guess that's asking too much for an overpriced deluxe box.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Just FYI.

The King is Dead is in Best Buy's ad this week for $6.99. This will be my first stop on Tuesday.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

I hadn't heard The Decemberists at all until a friend played Hazards of Love. I loved it. It felt like a musical, but unlike 90% of musicals, really good. Looking forward to this.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Sounds like a nice deal. Will have to check that out. Hopefully BB has other stuff that day to make the trip worthwhile.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Took a listen. Not nearly as good as their last two albums, imo.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

can't wait!

Entertainment Weekly gave the album an 'A'

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

Give it some time. I didn't like it at first and it has grown on me. At first it felt like a rather mundane folk rock album (with one great rock song: Calamity song), but the songs take some time to warm up to.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

I'm sure it'll get rotation on my playlist in the next few weeks, but I was very underwhelmed first time around.

Re: The Decemberists- The King is Dead 1/18
 

3.99 MP3 download at Amazon today:

http://www.amazon.com/The-King-Is-Dead/dp/B004HAG40O