Topic: New Decemberists (Read 22667 times)

TheFuriousWombat · « **on:** 03 Feb 2009, 13:24 »

So the new Decemberists album lands in March. I wasn't excited for it, really. Somehow the idea of a rock opera sounded lame and the newest EP was disapointing. That all changed today when I downloaded a song from the new album off their website (it's up for free: http://www.decemberists.com/). Anyway the new track is about a guy who gets married, realizes he made a mistake and so, after his wife dies in child birth, proceed to finish off his children in gruesome ways. The track is big, crunchy, heavy and evil sounding. It has an intensity lacking in most Decemberists tracks and, to me, bodes very well for the album as a whole. I'm legitimately excited now. So, uh...thoughts? Anybody else looking forward to this or is everybody sick of these guys by now?

GMM · « **Reply #1 on:** 03 Feb 2009, 13:28 »

Was unsure about the whole "rock opera" thing and then heard The Rake's Song and now I'm 100% on board.

Katherine · « **Reply #2 on:** 03 Feb 2009, 13:52 »

I really like Colin Meloy's voice so I think it would be difficult for them to release an album that I would hate in its entirety. That being said, I head The Rake's Song last night on NPR's All Songs Considered and it got me very excited for this album.

Hat · « **Reply #3 on:** 04 Feb 2009, 04:12 »

I have become less and less excited about new Decemberists since I had the realisation that I am never ever ever going to see them live.

GMM · « **Reply #4 on:** 04 Feb 2009, 04:18 »

Quote from: Hat on 04 Feb 2009, 04:12

I have become less and less excited about new Decemberists since I had the realisation that I am never ever ever going to see them live.

Why Hat, do you live on the moon?

Hat · « **Reply #5 on:** 04 Feb 2009, 04:25 »

No. I don't.

However the Decemberists are not exactly known for touring outside North America very extensively and the odds of seeing them in Australia are slim to fucking nil.

Inlander · « **Reply #6 on:** 04 Feb 2009, 04:37 »

Also, last time they came to Australia didn't some bastard nick all their gear?

GMM · « **Reply #7 on:** 04 Feb 2009, 06:51 »

Quote from: Hat on 04 Feb 2009, 04:25

No. I don't.

However the Decemberists are not exactly known for touring outside North America very extensively and the odds of seeing them in Australia are slim to fucking nil.

Ah, fair enough. They do not often get over here to Britain either.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #8 on:** 05 Feb 2009, 02:58 »

Quote from: Hat on 04 Feb 2009, 04:25

No. I don't.

However the Decemberists are not exactly known for touring outside North America very extensively and the odds of seeing them in Australia are slim to fucking nil.

ROAD TRIP!

Oh my god The Rake's Song is boners. So, so boners. Put me down as another "wasn't looking forward to the new record until they heard Rake's Song" type person.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #9 on:** 05 Feb 2009, 02:58 »

BURNT HIS BODY FOR INCURRING MY WRATH

ALRIGHT

ALRIGHT

AAAAAALRIIIIIGHT

Dotes · « **Reply #10 on:** 05 Feb 2009, 09:25 »

Was I the only one who thought the new song was a little underwhelming?

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #11 on:** 05 Feb 2009, 12:10 »

arcvt123 · « **Reply #12 on:** 08 Feb 2009, 18:30 »

The Rake Song made me even MORE excited than I was before. The Singles series during the winter months made me sad a little, except for the last two songs, but if the songs on the album are big and bad and scary than I will love it.

Koremora · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 21:18 »

They just announced part 1 of a North American tour in which they are playing 2 sets: one is the entire new record complete with guest vocalists, and the second is older material. And they are coming to my town. http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/149052-decemberists-take-their-rock-opera-on-the-road

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Feb 2009, 21:24 »

I know! It's awesome news! I think I'm going to see them in Philly. Tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow and I'll pick up a pair if they aren't too expensive.

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 15:24 »

how could you guys not have been sure about the "rock opera" concept? sounded great even before I heard the Rake's Song

GMM · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 16:03 »

Quote from: pulpfiction21 on 11 Feb 2009, 15:24

how could you guys not have been sure about the "rock opera" concept? sounded great even before I heard the Rake's Song

I hate all things prog?

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 17:50 »

So do you even like the decemberists?

Inlander · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 18:17 »

Wait, we're not gonna start on that old "Crane Wife = Decemberists Do Prog" thing now, are we? Because really that argument doesn't hold a lot of water.

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:06 »

lol no i'm just saying, if you like the decemberists, i assume you liked the crane wife, and with an announcement of doing a "rock opera", you shouldnt have a lot of doubts that they could pull of something great. But i mean after this album comes out, 40% of there LPs will be some what progressive (which would also be their latest two albums), so to call them prog wouldn't be the stupidiest thing someone could do.

Inlander · « **Reply #20 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:33 »

Yeah but see, the thing is the Crane Wife wasn't prog. Like, only the tiniest part of it was. I mean, it had two long multi-part songs, but one of those ("the Crane Wife") was really just good-old-fashioned Decemberists folky story-telling spread over three songs (which were at opposite ends of the album), and if we're going to start calling a tune "prog" because it developes a theme over multiple parts then we'd better be prepared to start calling Beethoven symphonies prog. As for "the Island", sure, that was proggy, but that's one track out of ten on the album. Which was otherwise a pretty typical Decemberists album, made with major-label money and everything that buys.

So see, at this stage I really don't think anyone can seriously claim that the Decemberists are a prog band.

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:43 »

i'm not defining them as a "prog" band. but a band that dabbles in prog on an album and then their next album is completely prog, leads me to believe that that might become a trend with them. Maybe they liked it and want to continue doing it. Until they put out another album that has no progressive themes, you cant not say that they couldnt be sort of progressive. I think if you were to put labels on the decemberists, throwing prog out there as one of those labels wouldnt be completely off base (this of course knowing that their new album with be progressive). It wouldnt be the best term for them, far from. They are still not a "prog" band, just saying it's possible they are starting to embrace the proggressive style.

Inlander · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:45 »

Have we heard the new album? Genuine question. I know I haven't. And I remember before the Crane Wife came out everyone was running around saying it was going to be the Decemberists' prog album. But maybe you've heard the new album and know better than me, I don't know.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #23 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:48 »

"Rock opera" doesn't equal prog. At all. I don't think the new album has leaked so I don't really see how anyone outside of the making of it could have heard it. Unless you're involved in making this album, I don't see how you could say it's completely prog. I mean, based upon the one song released, I'd say it certainly isn't since it's decidedly un-proggy.

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:50 »

Well then this debate can be continued when the album leaks, eh?

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #25 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 19:55 »

But yall are right, i am jumping the gun on it, but based on stuff that i've read about it, it has alot of the characterists of being a progressive album. But I dont know for sure so I will shut up lol

phooey · « **Reply #26 on:** 11 Feb 2009, 20:47 »

30 seconds into the new single and asfasdfasdflskfjlksasdflkjasdf yes

the_pied_piper · « **Reply #27 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 05:24 »

In case people don't know, but you probably do theres a g-mail account full of decemberists demos.

I heard a few of the demos for Hazards of Love a while ago and there was another thread on here not too long ago where we discussed the 'rock opera' label:

http://forums.questionablecontent.net/index.php/topic,21738.0.html

As for prog, the only prog i've ever heard from The Decemberists are some of their unreleased demos e.g Perfect Crime #1. The Crane Wife was just a return to the earlier Decemberists sound but with more funding and a cleaner sound.

NB If anyone calls it a sell-out album i'm gonna come over there and do things you don't wanna know. I hate that term.

öde · « **Reply #28 on:** 15 Feb 2009, 19:16 »

THE RAKE'S SONG

YES

(not the prog-rock band)

Dazed · « **Reply #29 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 18:26 »

Man, this song is fantastic. I am totally going to catch them when they come to Boston, saw them once at Avalon 2 years ago and it was tits.

Inlander · « **Reply #30 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 19:17 »

Does that mean that it was good or that it was bad?

Wait, I guess tits are generally pretty good.

Well unless they're breaking into your milk bottles and stealing the cream. Hmm.

Dazed · « **Reply #31 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 19:27 »

So good.

penfolder · « **Reply #32 on:** 17 Feb 2009, 06:04 »

The Rake's Song is deliciously dark and sinister - a side to the band that I have always loved and can't wait to hear the rest of the stories on the album.

Mostly I'm impatiently awaiting an announcement that they will be coming of to the UK - Last time they had to cut the tour short because of illness and I didn't see them so it's been a long time coming!

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #33 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 09:24 »

Just posted the new album in the mediaf!re thread.

J-cob9000 · « **Reply #34 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 15:57 »

I'm on The Hazard's of Love 2 and I love it so far.

s0ck ninja · « **Reply #35 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 16:38 »

rake's song is great, i agree with penfolder. just listened to "the wanting comes in waves" on youtube and i love it even more, i NEED this album... shara does these insane vocals over this pounding riff and it's just so good.

Inlander · « **Reply #36 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 18:07 »

Man, I sure would like it if just one album hit the shops when it was originally supposed to this year.

pulpfiction21 · « **Reply #37 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 19:11 »

i think that's impossible.

Bearer · « **Reply #38 on:** 07 Mar 2009, 19:14 »

In regards to "The Wanting comes in Waves / Repaid" Its like the Decemberists wrote it while watching Sweeney Todd and listening to the Beatles at the same time! I am loving it!

Kyros · « **Reply #39 on:** 08 Mar 2009, 12:24 »

Man I couldn't even begin to try and explain what the fuck the underlying story is in this album, but I'll be damned if it doesn't sound really cool. They definitely sound more comfortable with the major label treatment and their foray into prog-folk territory than they did on The Crane Wife.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #40 on:** 08 Mar 2009, 15:01 »

Yeah, what is this about? The best I can make of it involves some shape-shifting man/fawn that rapes lots of maidens (I think), some weird woodland queen, a girl named Margaret who gets kidnapped by a guy who killed his whole family, her boyfriend (I think) and...well that's it. At the end Margaret and her boyfriend die together in a shipwreck and...I don't know what happens to any of the other characters. Hmm...

Koremora · « **Reply #41 on:** 08 Mar 2009, 16:14 »

Perhaps the live show will make it more clear?

MobyDickhole · « **Reply #42 on:** 08 Mar 2009, 20:28 »

I am loving this album so far. They strayed COMPLELTY from their usual sound, but this album is really fucking cool.

It will probably be another month till I start piecing the story together, but right no I don't even care.

'The Wanting Comes in Waves/ Repaid' is such a cool fuckin' song.

MobyDickhole · « **Reply #43 on:** 08 Mar 2009, 20:30 »

Also, I hope that 'Burying Avy' and the rest of the songs Colin previewed in his solo show turn into B-Sides. I really liked some of them.

the_pied_piper · « **Reply #44 on:** 09 Mar 2009, 06:57 »

I was thinking the same thing about the unused demos. Is there going to be a secret EP accompaniment like Picaresqueties on vinyl again? I can't see them releasing too many singles from the album so there won't really be that many opportunities for B-sides. This has had me a little puzzled aswell.

Avec · « **Reply #45 on:** 09 Mar 2009, 12:24 »

Took me about two or three times to thoroughly listen and appreciate the music, guess I'm just strange like that.

Hat · « **Reply #46 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 02:16 »

Quote from: Jeans on 09 Mar 2009, 09:47

Quote from: Warren Ellis
The new Decemberists is fine if you like the Decemberists. If you are, however, a human, then it still sounds like a Jethro Tull tribute band without the flute.

Oh snap

I am actually really down with this definition and fail to see what is wrong with it.

Oh wait Warren Ellis is a dick that is what is wrong with it.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #47 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 02:28 »

One of Warren Ellis' favourite bands is Animal Collective

OPINION SAFELY DISCARDED

Inlander · « **Reply #48 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 02:55 »

The only Warren Ellis I know is in the Dirty Three. But something tells me that's not who you guys are talking about. Who are you guys talking about?

David_Dovey · « **Reply #49 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 03:29 »

Writer of Graphic Novels and... non-Graphic Novels, Warren Ellis

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: New Decemberists (Read 22667 times)

arcvt123

s0ck ninja