Home / Arts and Entertainment / Decemberists Drop Prog for Breezy Country-Folk
Decemberists Drop Prog for Breezy Country-Folk
17 Aug
Summary
- The Decemberists shift from concept albums to a simple country-folk sound.
- Peter Buck and Gillian Welch feature on the new record.
- The album was recorded in a converted barn in Oregon.
The Decemberists have released "The King Is Dead," a departure from their previous prog-rock opera, "The Hazards of Love." This new album embraces a breezy country-folk style, recorded in a converted barn on Oregon's Pendarvis Farm. The shift signals a move away from complex, narrative-driven concepts towards a more unpretentious sound.
Frontman Colin Meloy's vocals are notably looser on tracks like "Don't Carry It All." The album features notable guest musicians, including R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Grammy-winning folk singer Gillian Welch. While the band's literary tendencies remain, Meloy's melodic songwriting truly shines throughout "The King Is Dead."
Despite its rural influences and meticulous production, the album occasionally lacks the raw vulnerability found in more spontaneous Americana records. However, "The King Is Dead" showcases the Decemberists' ability to craft solid, engaging songs, marking a successful exploration into a more accessible sound.
