Album Reviews

Long time Decemberist fans will note the return to basics on this set of sturdy, anthemic Colin Meloy penned Celtic-style folk-rock tunes packed with heroic, pseudo-mythical lyrics and mixed time metaphors.

Unlike previous Decemberist albums, this one is not built around a story or a narrative theme. It's just a collection of unrelated songs and that makes it all the more attractive.

Despite the trappings, the songs are by no means about whaling and medieval days.

Long time Decemberist fans will note the return to basics on this set of sturdy, anthemic Colin Meloy penned Celtic-style folk-rock tunes packed with heroic, pseudo-mythical lyrics and mixed time metaphors.

Unlike previous Decemberist albums, this one is not built around a story or a narrative theme. It's just a collection of unrelated songs and that makes it all the more attractive.

Despite the trappings, the songs are by no means about whaling and medieval days.

For instance in "Calamity Song,"  Meloy aludes to "Hetty Green Queen of supply-side bonhomie bone-drab..." Green was a wealthy bit of a stinge during the Gilded age, who manipulated money and finances as well if not better than most of the men of that era, yet the "supply-side" reference is clearly contemporary as is the next line that refers to our terrorism fed times: "On the road It's well advised that you follow your own bag In the year of the chewable Ambien tab."

While elements of Fairport Convention Celtic rock remain, this album is more about American roots rock: The Byrds, R.E.M., Neil Young and Gram Parsons, among others, are all woven into the musical fabric. Peter Buck plays and Gillian Welch sing backup on many tunes, among other guests.

The album was mostly recorded in a converted barn on a farm but don't expect The Band's second album sonics or anything warm and woody. It's very well-recorded and carefully mixed, but most likely to Pro-Tools, which gives it the characteristic gray, opaque cast. Do cymbals really sound this dull and lackluster in real life? Of course not. 

As long as you can overlook the complete lack of transparency you can find a way into the recording's fine qualities. These days, this is about as good as it gets, I'm afraid. The music is worth the way in.