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The Decemberists

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Portland, Oregon, United States (2000 – present)

The Decemberists are a five-piece indie/folk rock band that formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon, United States. The band currently consists of Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, mandolin, dulcimer), Jenny Conlee (organ, accordion), Nate Query (bass, cello) and John Moen (drums). Among the band’s most notable former members are Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) and Jesse Emerson (bass). The band’s most recent album, The Hazards of Love, was released on March 24, 2009

Named both in reference to the Russian Decembrist Revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the atmosphere associated with the month of December, the Decemberists write songs that range from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads. They often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass. In their lyrics, they eschew the angst and introspection common to modern rock, instead favoring a storytelling approach, as evidenced in songs such as “My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist” from the 5 Songs EP and “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” on Picaresque. Their songs convey tales ranging from whimsical (“Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect”) to epic (“The Tain”) to truly dark (“Odalisque”). They often invoke historical events and themes from around the world. Early in their career, The Decemberists’ musical and lyrical aesthetics frequently prompted critics to compare them to Neutral Milk Hotel.

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indie, indie rock, folk, indie pop, alternative
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Top Albums

The Crane Wife
The Decemberists
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Castaways and Cutouts
The Decemberists
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Picaresque
The Decemberists
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Her Majesty
The Decemberists
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Top Tracks

1	The Crane Wife 3 full track	3,835
2	July, July! full track	2,936
3	Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) full track	2,672
4	A Bower Scene full track	2,542
5	Summersong full track	2,519
6	The Rake's Song	2,383
7	O Valencia!	2,282
8	The Abduction of Margaret full track	2,091
9	The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid full track	2,030
10	An Interlude full track	2,017
11	We Both Go Down Together	2,002
12	The Engine Driver	1,967
13	Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga) full track	1,964
14	The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All) full track	1,932
15	Annan Water full track	1,836

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Kiss_Da_Kraken wrote:
13 hours ago

I take it I'm the only one who finds Castaways rather boring? Can't get into it.

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cbeckrun wrote:
yesterday afternoon

so false. and hazards was definitely good.. it's so hard to compare it to the other albums though. i put it in a different category; it was definitely successful at what it what it was trying to accomplish

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mynameishuman wrote:
Thursday afternoon

The Crane Wife > all other Decemberists albums.

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Kiss_Da_Kraken wrote:
Thursday afternoon

Scored a ticket for second Melburn show! :=)

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Irryco wrote:
Thursday afternoon

Hazards was a disappointment.

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MrDaniel_UK wrote:
Wednesday evening

Nah, I don't live Hazards so much either.

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JAMESisCreepy wrote:
Wednesday evening

yes, you just might me.

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CaptainAdmiral wrote:
Wednesday morning

am i the only one who doesn't like Hazards of love? i love the decemberists, but can't enjoy this one. :<

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hitchcockm00 wrote:
Tuesday evening

Not really Rev. Their albums aren't all of the same quality, no matter how much you try to convince yourself of that.

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JAMESisCreepy wrote:
Tuesday evening

shut your puss you opinion nazi!

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Rev1205 wrote:
Tuesday evening

no, YOU shut up. I'm older my point is more valid. ^^

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JAMESisCreepy wrote:
Tuesday afternoon

shut up.

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Rev1205 wrote:
Tuesday afternoon

constantly comparing their albums like that just shows how shallowly you interpret The Decemberists' music. depending on my mood, every album is my favorite at one time or another...

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BringtheKY wrote:
Tuesday morning

Since everyone is always on the subject: Picaresque > Castaways > Hazards > The Crane Wife > Her Majesty... That makes it look like I don't like Her Majesty, but I love everything the Decemberists have ever done.

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JAMESisCreepy wrote:
Monday evening

masterfullllllll.

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music_junkie_ wrote:
Monday afternoon

the more I listen to this band, the more I love them.

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Drew079 wrote:
Monday morning

The more I listen to this band- the less I like them..........

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v1ND wrote:
last week

Finally got a hold of Hazards of Love. I think it beats even Picaresque for me...

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McCloudious wrote:
last week

Seeing these guys in London, cannot wait

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dontmakemeatrgt wrote:
last month

Picaresque is solid, no doubt. Infact, probably three of my favorite Decemberists songs are on it (We Both Go Down Together, The Mariners Revenge Song, Of Angels and Angles)...but overall, it just lacks the same emotion that Castaways/Her Majesty have. From Picaresque on, it seemed like their music became more and more theatric (not necessarily a bad thing, but i prefer how they sounded prior).

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Videos

Events

Nov 18 Crossing Border Koninklijke Schouwburg en Nationaal Toneel Gebouw, Den Haag, Netherlands
126 shouts | 204 attendees
Nov 18 The Decemberists HMV Forum, London, United Kingdom
15 shouts | 101 attendees
Nov 19 The Decemberists The Coronet, London, United Kingdom
22 shouts | 181 attendees

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News

Two New Australia Shows Added

28 Oct 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/thedecemberists

In addition to the previously announced January Australia dates, we are pleased to announce two new shows. We have added a second Sydney show at the Metro Theatre on January 18 and a second Mel...

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