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Friday, March 13, 2009

MP3 The Decemberists Will Do Anything for Love (But They Won't Do That)

Posted by Ezra Ace Caraeff on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 8:14 AM

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Posting new material from acts on big labels (the kind that have lawyers on staff and fancy letterhead to write a cease and desist upon) is somewhat of gray area, but once someone else does it, then it's totally fair game, right? Right?

The second song to (more or less) hit the web from The Hazards Of Love, (out March 24th) is an expansive rocker that features a little back-and-forth between guest vocalist Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond, former tourmates of the Decemberists) and Colin Meloy. Truth be told, I'm at a bit of an impasse with Hazards. At first I found it dense and nearly unlistenable, but recently I've warmed to it some. Perhaps I still need to spend some more time with the record before I can really decide either way. Anyone else heard it?

LISTEN:







"Won't Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga)"

 

Comments (3) RSS

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1
the record is a lot to wrap your head around; it's full of good pop songs by a guy who's written unbelievably great ones. i think this is the first decemberists record that didn't grab me immediately, but i also think that's a good thing. the mark of a true artist is one who is willing to challenge their listeners.
Posted by douglas martin on March 13, 2009 at 1:45 PM · Report
2
Much the same over here yes....a listen or two all the way through made me want a breathing break or two. It was exhausting listening! Guess I'm just a Castaways & Cutouts guy at heart.

But then, a subtle shift (!), which has since grown to full-on love for the album, hazards or not. Ten listens in and one can still find new things popping out at them. Twenty, and if you've actually cared enough about it to listen that many times, you'll be taken. Can't wait to see them undertake this live.
Posted by Jeremy on March 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM · Report
3
It's a better rock opera than it is a proper album.
Posted by michaelmechanical on March 13, 2009 at 8:56 PM · Report

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