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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 which 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.

Tagged as:

indie, indie rock, folk, indie pop, alternative
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Similar Artists

Top Albums

Top Tracks

1	July, July! full track	3,344
2	The Rake's Song full track	3,165
3	The Crane Wife 3 full track	3,061
4	O Valencia! full track	2,619
5	A Bower Scene full track	2,530
6	Summersong full track	2,434
7	Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) full track	2,257
8	The Abduction of Margaret full track	2,087
9	An Interlude full track	1,947
10	Annan Water full track	1,909
11	We Both Go Down Together	1,837
12	Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect	1,828
13	Prelude full track	1,801
14	The Engine Driver	1,783
15	Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga) full track	1,763

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hitchcockm00 wrote:
3 hours ago

Seryn I agree with you. Hated HoL at first but it's really grown on me. There are fewer stand out tracks than previous albums but as a whole it really works well.

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wangle-mcdangle wrote:
6 hours ago

Thanks for contributing a few songs to the soundtrack of my life.

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_meandthemajor wrote:
Thursday evening

sseing them 2x between August 1st & 14th. Can't wait!

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moxieandmayhem wrote:
Thursday evening

The Decemberists have another chance to be the next Featured Artist of the Week on Moxie & Mayhem! Only 5 days left to vote: http://moxieandmayhem.blogspot.com/

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kupmimustanga wrote:
Wednesday morning

the bachelor and the bride is so cool! ;D

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gatorz618 wrote:
Wednesday morning

I think the new album is just perfect. It's sooooooo good.

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b5mith wrote:
Monday morning

Should have listened further, more Tommi Iommi in "The Crossing". Nice. haha

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b5mith wrote:
Monday morning

A Tomi Iommi tribute riff in Repaid? Best album of '09 so far, love it!

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yeffman134 wrote:
Monday morning

Modest Mouse recently came out with a new 7 inch entitled "Autumn Beds." You all should go pick it up at your local record store. myspace.com/modestmouse

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davevegan wrote:
last week

Nothing will ever be as awesome as The Tain and everything before it. Really dig the new album though. If you can make it out to their current tour you definitely won't be disappointed. Especially since they have Becky Stark and Shara Worden along.

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beru wrote:
last week

Some Europe tour dates would be nice :) [2] oh yes, I would love to see them again. <3

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khalid-greece wrote:
last week

I don't really like HoL... I think "Picaresque" is their best album by far... Especially "The Mariner's Revenge Song"

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lyndsaywheeler wrote:
last week

modest mouse just released their 2nd exclusive 7", "Autumn Beds"...go to www.recordstoreday.com to find out what stores are carrying the exclusive vinyl!

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Seryn wrote:
last week

Was rather dissapointed by HoL at first, but after a few listens it's just about my favourite album of the year so far. Not every song is perfect but as a whole, it's greater than the sum of it's parts. That and i'm just a sucker for concept albums. Was rather surpirised by the metal influences that crept into the album but it fits surprisingly well. Hope they come to Australia sometime soon!

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moxieandmayhem wrote:
last month

Help The Decemberists become Moxie & Mayhem's next Featured Artist of the Week! Only 9 days left to vote! http://moxieandmayhem.blogspot.com/

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ThyLostUlalume wrote:
last month

At first I was disappointed with HoL, but then after seeing the Decemberists perform it, I guess I could say it sort of clicked, and now I've been listening to it obsessively. I'm not in love with every song on it, but as a whole it is pretty amazing.

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Wombaticus wrote:
last month

the decmebrists is the best band ever and i f you dont agree you can just suck my balls [2]

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Wombaticus wrote:
last month

the decmebrists is the best band ever and i f you dont agree you can just suck my balls

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Wombaticus wrote:
last month

i guess maybe that shows.. how mcuch you know wosabout music! you know nothin, you are the raindrop that feels within my soul feeding off terrible emotion

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Mikanoz wrote:
last month

no!!

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Videos

Events

Jul 17 The Decemberists Concerts At Marymoor, Redmond, WA, Seattle, United States
5 shouts | 48 attendees
Jul 17 The Decemberists Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA, Seattle, United States
Add shout | 1 attendee
Jul 18 The Decemberists McMenamins Historic Edgefield Manor, Troutdale, Portland, United States
4 shouts | 38 attendees

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News

The Decemberists | News 06.23.09

23 Jun 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/thedecemberists

Point of Order:• Two final shows for Phase 2 of The "A Short Fazed Hovel" Tour announced! Adored Mailing List Recipients,As Phase One of The "A Short Fazed Hovel" Tour 2009 erodes into a flicker of me. …

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