Album Rating: 3.5

For me it was 32



My 3rd spin of this has it sitting around a 3.5. I'd have to pare it down to about 8 songs to be consistently enjoyable all the way though, and its peaks still aren't as good as even that of What A Terrible/Beautiful World. That said, this is still a big improvement over I'll Be Your Girl.



Also, these guys should explore their rock side. The end of Joan was very satisfying in a way that The Decemberists haven't showcased before. I felt like I was listening to Blue Oyster Cult or something.

Album Rating: 3.5

The guitar in the first section of “Joan in the Garden” = “Passenger Side” by Wilco

Album Rating: 3.7

A full-on rock album by them would be interesting. They’ve pretty much given the time of day with a full project to every aspect of their sound except for that at this point

Weird you say thag Sowing bro, I just turned 32 this past Monday lmao. Gonna get on this probably tomorrow. Haven't really kept up with this band but I love what I've heard from them.

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, Joan in the Garden is incredible (at least periodically) - would've loved more in that vein here, or a full record in that style in the future. Not sure they'd be able to carry that style for a complete release, but I'm at least curious about the prospect.

Album Rating: 3.5

Hazards has a lot of rock, but it also their best, agreed.

Joan is incredible, good thing it's so long. You get that interlude to look forward to the spinechilling end.

Album Rating: 3.5

Hazards is a bit overrated IMO. Has some of the best songs of their career ("The Wanting Comes in Waves"), but a chunk of it is overzealous fluff that wouldn't be missed if chopped from the tracklist. I'm also not huge on Picaresque for the same reason. My ranking would go something like:



1. The King is Dead - 5

2. The Crane Wife - 4.5

3. What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World - 4.5

4. Castaways and Cutouts - 4

5. The Hazards of Love - 4

6. Picaresque - 3.5

7. Her Majesty The Decemberists - 3.5

8. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again - 3.5

9. I'll Be Your Girl - 3

Album Rating: 4.0

all the love TKID is getting is really surprising to me...i enjoy the grime and filth in meloy's earlier lyrics and i feel like the production and instrumentation reflect these traits. in a sense it feels like a particular time and place is captured so beautifully and uniquely in some of these tracks, smells and all. none of that is present in TKID, it's all become very derivative, bland and pretty in a boring way. someone used the word "neutered", i couldn't agree more. while neither the lyrics nor songs are bad, the essence of what makes this band great for me is gone. disliked the album enough to never check out the releases after it, given their reviews.



however, i'm quite happy to report i'm enjoying a few tracks off this new album a great deal. still digesting it, but certainly a good one.

Album Rating: 3.5

I think the appeal of TKID is how perfect it is in just about any setting. I can sit out back with a couple of beers and it'd soundtrack it perfectly. I've also listened to it while driving in the snow at night in the dead of winter and it's been an almost spiritual occurrence. I don't know why, but it's just a very consistently excellent release (no filler at all) with a beautiful aura.

Album Rating: 4.0

I think my ranking would be -



1) The King Is Dead

2) Castaways And Cutouts

3) The Crane Wife

4) Picaresque

5) Hazards Of Love

6) As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

7) What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World

8) Her Majesty The Decemberists

9) I'll Be Your Girl



Yeah, The King Is Dead is an album I come back to a lot, and it's only grown on me as the years go by. Feels like something that will be looked upon as a classic in a few decades, something timeless about the songs. I do love Americana-y stuff, though, so might also just be in my sweet spot.

Album Rating: 3.5

I agree very much with your assessment of TKID. Surprised you didn't rank Terrible/Beautiful World higher though; always viewed them as sister albums with very similar aesthetics. There are times when I wonder if it should be my #2 over Crane Wife.

Album Rating: 4.0

I like What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World a lot (have it as a solid 4) but I kinda think it's a bit too long, with half of its material roughly the level of The King Is Dead, and the other half feeling weaker.

Album Rating: 3.0

Very glad to see this love for What a Terrible World, might be the one I revisit the most these past few years. TKID and WATW just have an emotional weight for me where the other albums tend to be more ironic and detached (with exceptions ofc - 'On the Bus Mall', etc)



The Florasongs EP has some great ones too



Also, relistening to Long White Veil, I still think the lyrics are meh, but damn is it catchy

Album Rating: 3.5

I've had The Wrong Year in the head all day for some reason. Must be something on this reminding me of it.



THE SPIRIT'S WILLING

THE FLESH IS GETTING BORED

Album Rating: 4.0

It is a damn catchy tune

Album Rating: 3.5

I don’t know why they think songs like “Born to the Morning” are good.

Album Rating: 3.5

Haha yeah it's very filler.

Album Rating: 3.5

This gets a pity 3.5 from me

Album Rating: 3.5

I don't know if y'all ever listened to Meloy's college band, Tarkio, but there are some smatterings of its sound scattered on this album. Really recommend Tarkio's "Omnibus" which is just their compilation album. Includes the superior version of "My Mother Was a Trapeze Artist"

Album Rating: 3.5

Also, can't recommend Offa Rex enough. Didn't give it enough attention when they released Queen of Hearts in 2017, but it is an incredible record in hindsight. It has a lot of that classic Decemberists' sound and Olivia Chaney (who I'd never listened to) is dynamite handling vocal duties.