The Decemberists are a five-piece indie/folk outfit from Portland, Oregon. With its debut album having been released in 2002, What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World is the group’s seventh studio album.
The band’s lead singer Colin Meloy, who recorded a Morissey cover album in 2005, has a vocal style that’s a mix of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and Michael Stipe (R.E.M.). Meloy’s lead vocals combine with backup vocals from pianist Jenny Conlee to give the group a truly authentic folk sound.
“Lake Song” is one of the more folk-like songs on the album and is one of my favorites from the record. The acoustic track “Carolina Low” is one of the best tracks of this record as well and brings a bluesy yet Fleet Foxes sound to the table. “Mistral” is another must play track that has a classic Decemberists sound with layered vocals, keys, and guitar.
What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World will go down as one of the better indie-rock releases in 2015.
Recommended If You Like: R.E.M., Death Cab For Cutie, Avett Brothers, Nick Drake
Recommended Tracks: 1 (The Singer Addresses His Audience), 3 (Philomena), 5 (Lake Song), 8 (Carolina Low)
Do Not Play: None
Written by Harrison Hipp on 02/01/15