The Decemberists

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Portland, Oregon, United States (2000 – present)

The Decemberists are a band which formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon, United States. The band currently consists of Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, pedal steel guitar), Jenny Conlee (organ, piano, accordion), Nate Query (electric bass, acoustic bass, cello) and John Moen (drums). Notable former members include Rachel Blumberg (drums, vocals) and Jesse Emerson (bass). The band’s most recent album, The King Is Dead was released on 17 January 2011.

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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Top Albums

  • The King Is Dead
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  • The Crane Wife
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  • Picaresque
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  • Castaways and Cutouts
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Top Tracks

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  • MissisAn

    I love their 'Summersong'.

    Sunday morning

  • thing13579

    I've only been a fan for about a year now, but I am glad I am! :D The Decemberists are amazing.

    Wednesday morning

  • bbyprincesss

    I have listened to this band everyday since 2006 and they never get old <3

    8 days ago

  • JayWalkingChris

    This has been one of my favorite bands for 6 or 7 years now. Every thing they write together is magical.

    8 days ago

  • kissesneverdie

    @Adthey: Real fuckin' good. I'm listening to it with The Queen is Dead by The Smiths back-to-back. It's a spiritual experience.

    13 days ago

  • sls

    "The Crane Wife" makes an awesome soundtrack to Risen 2: Dark Waters, what with all the talk about murders and muskets and sabers...

    14 days ago

  • owl21

    real good.

    15 days ago

  • Adthey

    How good is the king is dead???

    16 days ago
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We All Raise Our Voices to the Air Available NOW

13 Mar 2012 | from decemberists.com

Adored Mailing List Recipients, We All Raise Our Voices to the Air (Live Songs 04.11-08.11), our new twenty song live double-album and triple-vinyl set, is available NOW in all of the …

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