The Decemberists
The Decemberists of the past were those who took part in the Russian revolt of December 1825. The Decemberists of today are Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query and John Moen. They’re an indie band from Portland, Oregon in the United States of America. In tribute, they use the National Anthem of the Soviet Union as the music they walk on to at many of their delightful, military themed concerts.
And whilst a pre-occupation with war is indeed evident in many of the band’s songs over their four albums and numerous EPS, their most recent effort, ‘The Crane Wife’, is based on a Japanese folk tale. And for the first time, the story infects not only one song, but the theme of the whole album. The twee, bespectacled guitar janglers have gone and made a prog record! A really good prog record!
And oddly, with their songwriting at both its most brilliant and, arguably, difficult to digest, they’re currently enjoying the biggest purple patch of popularity that their career has seen since releasing their debut full length ‘Castaways and Cutouts’ in 2002.
This week, the Decemberists take these tales of early American military success and bird-obsessed folk from Japan around the UK, in support of a new single ‘The Perfect Crime Part 2’. Go, and be amazed at how such sad songs can leave you with such a beaming smile.
DECEMBERISTS.COM: The band’s official site is decked out to resemble the art of ‘The Crane Wife’, meaning it looks all lovely and sepia, with curious cartoons dotted around the place, along with photos, music, video, downloads and a shop for you to purge your wallets of pocket money in.
MYSPACE.COM/THEDECEMBERISTS: TheirSpace, in a similar sepia décor, gives you four tracks and a generous blog.
THE CRANE WIFE: The Decemberists’ most ambitious record to date is given the novella it deserves by Tom Hannan’s review.
LIVE @ SHEPHERD’S BUSH, JAN 2007: The first time we saw the Decemberists, they challenged us to a battle… then slew us.
O VALENCIA VID: The most uncomplicated and yet still thoroughly rewarding moment on ‘The Crane Wife’ in a Soprano’s esque video form.
SIXTEEN MILITARY WIVES:
THE PERFECT CRIME #2 (LIVE):