Is this album going to be hyper-literate?

Cliff Notes will be included

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



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

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

Anybody want to loan me $165:

http://www.decemberists.com/



* 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

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.

Did you get a promotional copy or something?

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

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.

Ah, link for the ignorant like myself:

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

BTW, Calamity Song is fantastic.

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.

It's been around for about 3 weeks now.

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

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.

Best REM song in a long time:

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

can't wait!

Entertainment Weekly gave the album an 'A'

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.

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

3.99 MP3 download at Amazon today:

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