On the one hand, since this album came out yesterday, it's probably a little premature to lump it in with the "classics" this blog is supposed to be about. On the other hand, it's a strong batch of tunes. With help from Gillian Welch and Peter Buck, The Decemberists explore Americana. Maybe this seems like a bit of a left turn after the over-the-top (and underrated) prog rock stomp of The Hazards of Love or maybe it makes perfect sense given Colin Meloy's perennial forays into British folk and the side project string band Black Prairie. What of the results? Well, one of the challenges of this blog is to process an album after a single listen and to put what I hear into some kind of context. During the initial run-through, I heard Uncle Tupelo strings, REM jangle, Tom Petty beats, Bruce Springsteen harmonica and a well-integrated fiddle bit (here played, I believe, on accordion) from "Raggle Taggle Gypsy." I also didn't hear a bad song in the bunch. The Decemberists are one of my favorite bands, but even I can admit that they've always managed to throw a clunker or two onto every album. And while the highs may not be as high as elsewhere, the melodies are strong throughout. There is a lot to be said for being able to put on an album while driving or sitting on a porch - as I expect to do with this one - and never getting the slightest itch to hit "skip." Yeah. A lot to be said. Grade: B+
