2008 Woodie Awards
The Decemberists: "Picaresque"
Melissa Cisneros
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Life
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Another gem was added to the golden crown that adorns the head of Collin Meloy, with the release of "Picaresque" his band, The Decemberists' third full album. This indie-rock band released "Picaresque" March 22 through their Olympia, Washington label, Kill Rock Stars.
After the much loved and acclaimed second album "Her Majesty" was released in 2003 (sold 40,000 copies), many fans wondered if it could be topped. The Decemberists' "Picaresque" is a strong album musically with the beauty and lyrical presence that fans have come to worship. What a relief! Meloy is the band's lead singer and songwriter, and hails originally from Montana. His work is vast in subject matter and the places that he explores are common to all, only said beautifully. Corey DuBrowna is a writer for Magnet Magazine and wrote about Meloy and his style of writing in 2003.
"He's a songwriter of considerable interiority, Meloy is creating a new sort of world music. He's cooking up a careful reduction of all the planets content, going back several centuries at a time to unearth stories that divine the humanity of its own inhabitants," wrote DuBrowna.
The Decemberists as a whole are a clever group. The group lost long time member Rachel Blumburg this January. She was replaced with John Moen, drummer and Petra Haden, violinist and vocals for the "Picaresque" album. The rest of band line up is the same with Chris Funk at guitar, and sweet Jenny Conlee at the piano.
Along with the new album is the video for the seventh track "16 Military Wives", the song was originally titled "16 by 32". This song is about as political as the Decemberists get and the video can be viewed at http://www.otaku-house.com/films/decdnload.htm. The lyrics say it all.
"16 military wives, 32 softly focused, brightly colored eyes
Staring at the natural tan of 32 gently clenching wrinkled little hands
17 company men, out of which only 12 will make it back again
After the much loved and acclaimed second album "Her Majesty" was released in 2003 (sold 40,000 copies), many fans wondered if it could be topped. The Decemberists' "Picaresque" is a strong album musically with the beauty and lyrical presence that fans have come to worship. What a relief! Meloy is the band's lead singer and songwriter, and hails originally from Montana. His work is vast in subject matter and the places that he explores are common to all, only said beautifully. Corey DuBrowna is a writer for Magnet Magazine and wrote about Meloy and his style of writing in 2003.
"He's a songwriter of considerable interiority, Meloy is creating a new sort of world music. He's cooking up a careful reduction of all the planets content, going back several centuries at a time to unearth stories that divine the humanity of its own inhabitants," wrote DuBrowna.
The Decemberists as a whole are a clever group. The group lost long time member Rachel Blumburg this January. She was replaced with John Moen, drummer and Petra Haden, violinist and vocals for the "Picaresque" album. The rest of band line up is the same with Chris Funk at guitar, and sweet Jenny Conlee at the piano.
Along with the new album is the video for the seventh track "16 Military Wives", the song was originally titled "16 by 32". This song is about as political as the Decemberists get and the video can be viewed at http://www.otaku-house.com/films/decdnload.htm. The lyrics say it all.
"16 military wives, 32 softly focused, brightly colored eyes
Staring at the natural tan of 32 gently clenching wrinkled little hands
17 company men, out of which only 12 will make it back again