The Decemberists are an american indie band who make very pleasant and interesting music. The band was founded by Colin Meloy, Nate Query, and Jenny Conlee, with Chris Funk and John Moen joining along the way.
CASTAWAYS AND CUTOUTS (2002)
Castaways And Cutouts is the first full record by The Decemberists, it has 10 classic songs that are sll very lovely and warm and peaceful. The entire album sounds like a calm spring morning. Standout songs include Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect, Cocoon, The Legionnaire's Lament, and California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade.
HER MAJESTY (THE DECEMBERISTS) (2003)
Her Majesty (The Decemberists) is a step in a different direction from Castaways And Cutouts, it goes for a more upbeat and often darker sound than the peaceful and warm previous album. The general sound is very similar, but with darker, sort of grungy sounds. Standout songs include Billy Liar, The Bachelor and The Bride, The Soldiering Life, and The Chimbely Sweep. And I still don't know if it's "Her Majesty" or "Her Majesty The Decemberists".
PICARESQUE (2005)
Picaresque, Adjective: relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero. Picaresque is a concept album where each track tells a different picaresque story. The album sounds similar to the first two, but with a new crisp sound that really elevates the music. Standout tracks include The Infanta, The Sporting Life, 16 Military Wives, On The Bus Mall, and The Mariner's Revenge Song.
THE CRANE WIFE (2006)
Likely The Decemberist's most popular work, The Crane Wife is a very good album. It is more upbeat and punchy than their previous albums, and they lean into their strenghts much more. Notable tracks include The Perfect Crime #2, Summersong, The Crane Wife 1 + 2, Sons and Daughters, and Culling of the Fold.
THE HAZARDS OF LOVE (2009)
The Hazards of Love is, in my opinion, The Decemberist's magnum opus. A true rock opera, The Hazards Of Love tells the story of two lovers risking their lives to love each other. It's a cheesy concept but it is pulled off extremely well. My favorite songs are The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All!), Isn't It A Lovely Night, The Rake's Song, Margaret in Captivity, The Hazards of Lovee 3 (Revenge!), and The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned(, but the album has to be listened through front to back for it to be as good as possible.
THE KING IS DEAD (2011)
The King is Dead sounds pretty different from the previous albums, it is heavier on some instruments like harmonica and percussion, and is generally much more punchy that even The Crane Wife. To be completely honest, I haven't listened to The King is Dead much, it's never really interested me. It does have a few great songs, like Don't Carry It All, Rox in the Box, January Hymn, and This Is Why We Fight. This album marked what I consider to be the decline in The Decemberists.
WHAT A TERRIBLE WORLD, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD (2015)
What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World sounds like a continuation of The King Is Dead in some aspects, but builds it's own unique sound that is pretty good. Standout tracks include The Singer Adresses His Audience, Calvarly Captain, Make You Better, The Wrong Year, and 12/17/12.
I'LL BE YOUR GIRL (2018)
While I have listened to this album, it was a while ago and I don't quite remember much, but I do remember not liking it very much. It takes an almost electronic turn to the tried and true Decemberists formula. Stand out songs include Once in my Life, Everything is Awful, Rusalka, Rusalka / Wild Rushes, and I'll Be Your Girl.
5 SONGS (2001)
5 Songs is a collection of 5 songs. As the necessary EP release before they're first album, 5 songs is pretty good and sounds very similar to Castaways and Her Majesty. There are actually six songs, Oceanside, Shiny, My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist (a borrowed Tarkio song), Angel Won't You Call Me?, I Don't Mind, and Apology Song.
THE TAIN (2004)
The Tain is a 5 part epic retelling the irish story of Táin Bó Cúailnge. The songs all lead into each other (mostly as it is just one long song) in a very pleasing way. This EP is sometimes bundled in with 5 Songs on physical releases.
PICARESQUETIES (2005)
Picaresqueties is a companion EP to Picaresque, being included on the b-side of the third disc on vinyl releases. It consists of 3 songs that were cut from Picaresque, as well as a cover of a Joanna Newsom song. It's alright, but there isn't really anything stand out here. Bandit Queen is pretty good, though.
BILLY LIAR (2004)
Billy Liar was a single from Her Majesty, it was released with two b-sides that weren't on the album. The tracklist is Billy Liar, Los Angeles I'm Yours, Everything I Try To Do Nothing Seems To Turn Out Right, and Sunshine. It's a pretty good EP.
