It looks like The Decemberists have left 1825 with their latest release, The King is Dead, released today on Capitol Records. While I can't say upon first listening to the new album that I like this new direction, I understand that as a band, they simply can't keep doing that British-era songwriting by candlelight. But personally, between you and me, their greatest album are on Kill Rock Star's Picaresque and Her Majesty the Decemberists (you can just tell that Colin Meloy is doing his best Morrissey song writing, and that's why I love The Decemberists).
Unfortunately, The King is Dead doesn't sound anything like their earlier works, instead, it sounds very Americana. Fans of early R.E.M. will really enjoy these songs. My personal favorites are "Rox In The Box" and "Down By The Water", because as the song starts to slow down, I still want it to keep going. I can see why the later song is getting a lot of love on the radio charts.
I am interested in seeing where The Decemberists go from here, I suspect they'll continue their experiment in American folk music for a few albums... but I do hope they come back to the sound that I fell in love with.
I was hoping to catch them on this tour, but it looks like they've already sold-out their appearance in Minneapolis. If they are stopping by your town and haven't sold out yet, then I suggest buying your tickets in advance.
In other Decemberists news: the band is doing a live webcast on NPR Music tomorrow, January 19th at noon (Pacific Time). They are playing "Down by the Water" on NBC's The Tonight Show tomorrow, January 20th (I don't have a broadcast date, but it'll probably be within a week after their appearance).
Unfortunately, The King is Dead doesn't sound anything like their earlier works, instead, it sounds very Americana. Fans of early R.E.M. will really enjoy these songs. My personal favorites are "Rox In The Box" and "Down By The Water", because as the song starts to slow down, I still want it to keep going. I can see why the later song is getting a lot of love on the radio charts.
I am interested in seeing where The Decemberists go from here, I suspect they'll continue their experiment in American folk music for a few albums... but I do hope they come back to the sound that I fell in love with.
I was hoping to catch them on this tour, but it looks like they've already sold-out their appearance in Minneapolis. If they are stopping by your town and haven't sold out yet, then I suggest buying your tickets in advance.
January 24, Beacon Theatre, New York*
January 25, Beacon Theatre, New York* SOLD OUT January 26, Beacon Theatre, New York* SOLD OUT January 28, House of Blues, Boston* SOLD OUT January 29, House of Blues, Boston* SOLD OUT January 31, Olympia De Montreal, Montreal* February 1, Sound Academy, Toronto* February 2, Royal Oak Music Theatre, MI* February 4, Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL* SOLD OUT February 5, Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, WI# February 6, State Theatre, Minneapolis# SOLD OUT February 7, Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO# February 9, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO# February 10, Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO# February 12, Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA # SOLD OUT February 13, House of Blues, San Diego, CA# |
February 14, Fox Theater, Oakland, CA# SOLD OUT
February 18, Paramount Ballroom, Seattle, WA# February 19, Arlene Schnitzer, Portland# SOLD OUT March 4, Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland March 5, ABC, Glasgow, UK March 7, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham, UK March 8, Bristol Academy, Bristol, UK March 10, Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK March 11, Leeds Academy, Leeds, UK March 12, De la Warr Pavillion, Bexhill, UK March 13, Trix, Antwerp, Belgium March 14, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands March 16, Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK * with Wye Oak # with Mountain Man |
In other Decemberists news: the band is doing a live webcast on NPR Music tomorrow, January 19th at noon (Pacific Time). They are playing "Down by the Water" on NBC's The Tonight Show tomorrow, January 20th (I don't have a broadcast date, but it'll probably be within a week after their appearance).