From their new album The King is Dead, (and the Smiths’ influence as well?) Colin and Co. rediscover their American roots. Down By the Water looks to REM and Neil Young, and in fact Peter Buck plays guitar on the song. June Hymn makes wish the winter was over already.
I see you’ve tagged this as “REM”, which is appropriate enough. I haven’t bought the album yet, but have listened online. Lovely sound to it – this song in particular – though nothing floored me on a first listen. Sure it will grow on me though.
I find the first song a lot more interesting musically than some of their older stuff, but have to wonder if some of their earlier fans take leave of them now. I forgot to mention that it’s Gillian Welch on backing vocals.
Aye, well REM that – which is good cos I like REM
Thanks Amy. I copped a copy the day it came out, and I’m really looking forward to their London gig next month. Could be my album of the year already! (Though there will be competition from upcoming new albums by Elbow, Tindersticks, Lykke Li, REM etc)
‘The King is dead’ is available to listen in full from Rolling Stone at
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/listen-new-decemberists-album-the-king-is-dead-20110112
I wavered about posting this because i figured most people had already heard it! And a few of the songs were released last year, at least on youtube.
Shoey’s Law: “Never waver about posting”
Hi amy. Did you hear what they put on the B-side of the January Hymn single (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK7S0i-E8Jk)?
No i didn’t, but i think it sounds great! Coincidentally, last night i was listening to Los Lobos Dead covers. You’ve probably heard them, they covered West LA Fadeaway on their last album, and Robert Hunter wrote All My Bridges Burning with them. But my favorite is Bertha -
Have my copy of the new album on order from Amazon as I type – and am off to see them in Glasgow and London in the next month or so. Veh excited…