The King is Dead

The King is Dead by The Decemberists
9.1/10

Four years ago, if you told me that at age 16 anything resembling country would be my favorite genre, I'd probably slap you. And yet, through the jangly sound of Clearwater, the classic sound of the Eagles, and the warbles of Conor Oberst, Americana is my hands-down favorite genre. So when my dad got the new Decemberists album and told me it was Americana, I couldn't resist.
The Decemberists are known for their much more ornate albums and historical lyrics. I didn't know anything about them before this album, but after listening to The Mariner's Revenge song and 16 Military Wives a few times, I got a sense of how different this album is, and why the reaction was so mixed.
The King is Dead is a straightforward country-rock album in the same vein as Being There or Mermaid Avenue. Starting with a loud harmonica and a roaring beat, the album explores multiple sounds and themes, but nothing strays far out of the rootsy sound. Lyrically, the album ranges from doomsday to miners to simple hymns about months and the seasons. REM's Peter Buck joins in on the REM-esques Calamity Song, but the band seems to keep to one style for the most part. Another important note about this album is that it's a collection of songs. There's nothing like The Crane Wife's meandering themes and narratives, and the whole album has no theme.
It's actually hard to write a full review of this album. Unlike something like I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, there's nothing to really gush about, or to critique. It's so straightforward that it's nearly impossible to say anything. Every song is great, but the album isn't spectacular, and there aren't any huge faults to find. It's just a great album.

1. Don't Carry It All - 9/10 A loud and uplifting country rock song. It features a harmonica and loud, beating drums. The guitar is toned down to give the drums full center, and they punctuate every word Colin Meloy sings. The only break from this is a sudden string-filled bridge.
2. Calamity Song - 11/10 The doomsday song. It starts with a catchy riff by Peter Buck of REM, and adds on layers of instruments. Colin sings of a chaotic apocalypse with a gleeful tone, adding a Summerteeth style dichotomy. This song ranks at number 2 for my favorites on the album.
3. Rise to Me - 10/10 A calmer folk song. I have no idea what the lyrics mean, but they are quite poetic. The song is calm, soothing, and features Colin harmonizing with Gillian Welch. The song is folky with a touch of steel guitar.
4. Rox in the Box - 9/10 The historical song. This one follows miners working on a "grey granite mine." The song paints a bleak picture, and the track relies on accordion and a guitar riff.
5. January Hymn - 10/10 One of my favorites off the album. This song is slow, calm, and beautiful. It's folk, with a repetitive riff and Colin singing softly and melodically. The song is about the feelings of January, regret, and bleakness, yet the song is anything but stark. Again, the dichotomy recalls Summerteeth.
6. Down By the Water - 11/10 The hit, and for good reason. This song marks a departure from the calmer folk and country that preceded it. It's an emotional song, with chiming vocals and a roaring chorus. The song is layered, with guitar and accordion providing a backbone while the drums and vocals take center stage. Lyrically, I have no idea what it's about, but it does seem to hint at nostalgia.
7. All Arise - 8/10 I love and hate this song. It's a simple three-chord country song with chiming violins, cheesy lyrics, and goofy banjo/piano. It's just so odd that I hate it, but it's so catchy that I love it. The chorus is without a doubt the highlight, although I have no clue what "shotgun shy" means.
8. June Hymn - 9/10 A soft song based around harmonica and guitar. Like Rise to Me, the guitar drives the song. However, there are no drums. It's very near acoustic, yet it doesn't seem like it.
9. This is Why We Fight - 7/10 My least favorite on the album. That being said, it's still an excellent song. This song is loud, upbeat, and pounding. It has a feel that sticks out of the album, invoking a vigor and emotion that not even Down by the Water possesses.
10. Dear Avery - 10/10 My third favorite on the album. An acoustic song with a strange chord progression,  this song features Colin Meloy singing in a Conor Oberst style, with heavy emotion and warble. The lyrics describe a letter written to a man named Avery. The song ends with a beautiful coda, with drums, steel guitars, and humming vocals all blending together into pure Americana bliss.