The Decemberists - "The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid" (2009)

The Decemberists are an excellent indie rock band from Portland, OR and one of few indie bands in recent years who have managed to make the jump to a major label without compromising their sound. In 2006 they released The Crane Wife, an album full of story songs that musically ran the gamut from folk to prog rock and lyrically encompassed everything from a Civil War era love song to the Japanese folk tale on which the three part title track was based. The literary lyrical leanings of front man Colin Meloy have taken even further flight with The Decemberists’ recently released The Hazards of Love which can best be described prog rock musical theater. Throughout 17 tracks including preludes, interludes and reprises, Meloy weaves the story of doomed lovers William and Margaret and the evil Rake and the Queen that try to foil them. You make think this all sounds like pretty heady stuff and you’d be right, but the Decemberists have a way of making it all work. The band turned up the distortion a great deal on this record with songs like “A Bower Scene” as well as today’s tune, but that’s not to say they’ve forgetten their folksy side. There is a seamless transition between nearly every track, giving the listener the sense of one giant song. Several riffs and melodies are repeated throughout the record in different songs giving it a pretty consistent theme. Since the songs work so well together, some of them just seem odd outside of their original context, which could hinder the accessibility factor of The Hazards of Love, but long time Decemberists fans won’t be disappointed. Though this record can be a tad eccentric in places, it’s filled with solid songwriting throughout and that is evident in today’s song. The excellent portrayal of The Queen comes from Shara Worden of the band My Brightest Diamond. Her voice plays well against Meloy’s and coupled with an outstanding guitar riff, it gives the song a great classic rock feel. I can’t say that everyone would like this album, but if it’s approached with an open mind, there are some really great songs to be found here.


The Decemberists - "The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid"