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intereact!The Decemberists
Retail Price (not our price): $16.98
Release Date: 2005-03-22
Manufacturer: Kill Rock Stars
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...
| Disc 1 |
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Picaresque is yet more proof that the Decemberists' Colin Meloy is the songwriter who loves love—especially when it ends in death, ("We Both Go Down Together," "Of Angels and Angles"), disease ("The Mariner's Revenge Song") or in some other tragic way. This CD spends some time in the band's familiar old Europe setting, although Meloy also touches on politics, espionage, and even soccer. (Proving he knows his fan base, Meloy's "The Sporting Life," is the perfect shout-out to the kids who preferred the library to the gym.) Long-time fans will know what to expect from this album, which compares favorably to the other LPs on their catalog, and with Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla on board as producer, the band seems poised to reach the greater audience they deserve. If you're not already a listener, don't wait another second to become one. With their remarkable vocabulary and bawdy-yet-literary imagery, the Decemberists are guaranteed to make you smarter even as they make you weep. Pop this in your CD player, grab a dictionary, rock and learn.--Leah Weathersby2) Album Description
In the past two years, The Decemberists have gone from unknowns outside their native Portland to success via critical praise, impressive sales, and packed houses. This is their fullest sounding release yet. They blaze through more instrumental variations than can be listed here, for a heightened urgency and depth to the sharply written lyrical scenarios.
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5
1) good album but the negative reviews are great [Rating: 3 out of 5]
Although I like this band quite a bit (esp. 'The Tain' and 'Crane Wife') I find the rabid fans to be frequently over the top in their praise of the Decemberists. I fully understand the naysayers' complaints that Meloy's voice is annoying and probably even contrived. I still cringe at times and wonder why in the world he decided on the enunciating and phrasing tactics that he utilizes. I'm generally willing to overlook that, however, because I do appreciate their use of colorful and unconventional instrumentation. To claim, as some have, that the Decemberists are poor performers is simply irrational, forwarded by those who are probably bitter that their favorite acts haven't reached the acceptance level of these nerds. Maybe that's it! They are bothered by the fact that nerds can be cool. Yeah, their verbosity and pseudo-romanticism can get tiring but to discredit them because of the words they sing is giving way too much credence to the repeated, banal lyrics that have polluted pop music for decades and have catapulted lesser acts to super stardom. To slap the 'derivative!' label on them is also missing the point. There's nothing particularly wrong with being derivative. That's just an inflammatory term used only when trying to discredit an artist. What's wrong with having influences and showcasing them in one's art? Elvis, the Beatles, Zeppelin, Springsteen, Nirvana and Muse are all derivative in one way or another. Is that such a bad thing? In fact precious few acts are truly original. And The Decemberists are insignificant specks when compared the true giants in pop music. I've read some claim they are Tull, Fairport and Steeleye Span ripoffs. If that were the case I'd probably like them even more. Truth is they have nothing in common with those forerunners and those who say otherwise have very little understanding of those other bands' bodies of work. They're merely trying to make a cheap point hoping that they won't be called on it. Actually I'm amused by both the lovers and haters of this band. They are both full of hyperbole and partially thought out point/counterpoint.2) Masterful musicianship and superb storytelling [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I've noticed something during my recent musical explorations; a lot of CDs contain a bunch of songs that all sound alike. They have the same tempo, the same over-produced sound, with no song that jumps out of the pack. I complained about this to a friend and he suggested that I try the Decemberists. I borrowed a copy of "Picaresque" and gave it a shot.The first thing I did was look up the meaning of "picaresque". According to Merriam Webster Online, "picaresque" means: "of or relating to rogues or rascals; also : of, relating to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with the episodic adventures of a usually roguish protagonist."Interesting. I was looking forward to listening to the CD.I have to admit, the first listen didn't impress me (but maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention). Then I reached track 10, "The Mariner's Revenge Song". The song with its unique folksy sound grabbed me by the throat - especially the part where the mother sings her dying words. Yikes. I probably listened to the song a dozen times in a row. This song by itself was the gem that justified purchase of the CD.I always listen to new CDs at least twice to give the music a chance. On my second run through "Picaresque", two more songs jumped out at me: "We Both Go Down Together" and "Eli, the Barrow Boy". Suddenly, I had three gems on this CD. On a third listen, "16 Military Wives" and "From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)" stuck their heads out. I was up to five gems.This is a fantastic album. Talent oozes from every song. The music is theatrical and dramatic. The lyrics are complex, but interesting. Plus, the songs are hummable.Each song on "Picaresque" tells a story and most of them deal with death. I usually don't like depressing music but the Decemberists make it, well, interesting because each song is formatted as a story, a myth, a tale."We Both Go Down Together" deals with the double suicide of star-crossed lovers. For me, this is the most emotional song on the album. I hate to admit it but, during the last few times I've listened to it, I've gotten a little misty during the last verse. I think this is probably my favorite song from "Picaresque"."Eli, the Barrow Boy" tells the story of a boy who sells coal, marigolds and other miscellaneous items from his wheelbarrow. He laments the loss of his love, and commits suicide. However, on moonlit evenings, he is still seen pushing his barrow and calling out to his love."The Mariner's Revenge Song" is a 9 minute epic that tells the story of a young boy whose mother is wronged by a sailor. She dies of consumption but before she dies, she makes her son pledge to exact revenge. The boy spends his life pursuing the sailor and the two end up in the belly of a whale. Great stuff.The rest of the songs are good too and I'm sure others will have their own favorites. This is a great album and I highly recommend it.-------------------------Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money3) Can a great song make a great record? [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Perhaps it's just my residual jubilation from having seen the Decemberists in Central Park just two nights ago, but I have become addicted to the Mariner's Revenge Song. It is perfect - unique, image-laden, funny, ironic, and fun.The group concluded their quite long encore with the Mariner's Revenge Song at the show. It became clear that each member of the Decemberists loves this music. For other groups, use of Dickensian imagery might be corny, but somehow it works, even shines.So, yes - buy the album just for this song. But the rest of the LP is great as well.4) Probably their best [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I don't tire of listening to this over and over, especially the 3-some of 16 Military Wives / Engine Driver / On the Bus Mall. Of course, the Mariner's Revenge is a fun tale indeed.5) A Wonder [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Though perhaps not quite at the level of CRANE WIFE, the unique sound and intriguing lyrics of The Decemberists do not disappoint.