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Picturesque "Picaresque"

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The obscure word "Picaresque" is an accurate title for the third full-length album by the Decemberists. If you want to get technical, the word refers to humorous adventure stories, starring roguish antiheroes. Considering the folky pirate sound of the Decemberists' latest -- and best -- album, this seems an appropriate title.



Not that folky-pirate is a NEW sound for them; it's characterized their past music, except for the richly mythic "Tain EP." But the Decemberists amp up their instruments in "Picaresque," making the melodies bigger and louder than before. A few songs like "Espionage" harken back to their previous stripped-down sound, with mainly Colin Meloy and his acoustic guitar. But these are actually the minority here.



From the very first song, the pulse-racing percussive "Infanta," it becomes clear that the Decemberists haven't changed their sound so much as made it faster and louder. Which, it seems, was just the punch that the Decemberists needed in their prior albums, taking their music from good to really, really good. With this amped-up sound, their music seems larger than life.



The songs are also more eclectic than in prior albums, dabbling in accordion sea shantys, bouncy classic-pop, percussive rock, and mild acoustic ballads. The music still centers on Colin Meloy's acoustic guitar, and the lyrics have a feeling of old-world grandeur, sepia photos and dusty literarature. But it's also getting a bit more complex, with strings, drums and accordion often taking center stage.



And the Decemberists get to expand their songs to topics other than, er, acrobats, ships and so forth. For example, they delicate step into anti-war turf with "Sixteen Military Wives," as well as a charming little ditty about a kid having athletic problems: "And father had had such hopes/for a son who would take the ropes/and fulfill all his old athletic aspirations/but apparently now there's some complications..."



One of the quibbles I always had with the Decemberists was Colin Meloy's voice -- it's nasal and a bit thin, a bit reminiscent of Jeff Mangum. But somewhere between this and their prior EP, Meloy has learned how to rein in his vocals. He's not great, but he's definitely improved. In fact, he increasingly reminds me of Jeff Mangum or Kevin Barnes, two imperfect voices that fit in with their music regardless.



"Picaresque" is hampered by a couple of somber acoustic numbers, but the newer, faster sound suits this band wonderfully. "Picaresque" is definitely picturesque."

Best Decemberists Yet

Sair K | United States | 08/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since buying Picaresque about 2 weeks ago, I think I've listened to the entire album at least 10 times. I think this is the most times I have listened to a single album in its entirety in the last 18 months.



What has compelled me to keep playing Picaresque? At the most basic level, its just a darn catchy album. But there are lots of catchy albums that I'm not listening to all the time. What makes Picaresque more than just a catchy album is that the poppy tunes are layered over rich lyrics and intricate story lines. The Decemberists are known for their theatrically-minded songs often revolving around maritime, sea-faring, Victorian European-esque themes. Picaresque also maintains this theme (especially in The Mariner's Revenge Song, which is one of my favorites on the album). However, as has been noted in most reviews of this album, Picaresque deals with a number of modern themes, particularly (as most everyone who has heard the album has noted) Sixteen Military Wives, clearly an anti-war protest song. However, despite tackling more modern themes, the album maintains its sound.



I've always felt the Decemberists were sort of old-worldy in a hip rock and roll sort of way. I think I had this impression before I saw them live on New Year's Eve 2003, all decked out in 1920's style tuxedos and dresses (the drummer and keyboardist/accordionist are both female) with their bassist playing a stand-up bass rather than a rock and roll electric bass. However, in listening to past Decemberists albums I've had a hard time putting my finger on the definitive aspect of their sound that gives them this "old-worldy" feel. Obviously the subject matter of many of their songs drives this impression, but I was struck that even when singing about "modern themes" they maintained this sound. I think I've finally got my finger on it.



First, most Decemberists songs are instrumentally thick. The addition of keyboards and accordion to most songs adds unique dimensions, especially the accordion whose sound is lacking in most other modern pop-rock bands. Secondly, lyrics show evidence that Colin Maloy, the bands frontman and songwriter, clearly scored really high on his SAT Verbal portion. The language is reminiscent of late 19th fiction and poetry with lines like "Below the tamaracks he is crying, 'Corncobs and candlewax for buying!" This romantic language populates even the "modern" themes. For example, the espionage themed romance The Bagman's Gambit includes, "And for a tryst in the greenry I gave you documents and microfilm too."



What this album does best is supplant these poetic versus of wayfairing sailors, child kings, forbidden lovers, academics, and athletic failures on top of poppy tunes that make you want to keep listening, even if you have no idea what "Picaresque" means. It is able to be unpretentious; it is intellectual while at the same time completely accessible.



And it's a darn catchy album.



(By the way, I had no idea what picaresque meant either, so I looked it up)

pic·a·resque

adj.



1. Of or involving clever rogues or adventurers.

2. Of or relating to a genre of usually satiric prose fiction originating in Spain and depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society."

Almost inconceivably odd yet nonetheless addictive

Robert Moore | Chicago, IL USA | 08/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Who said that an alternative band couldn't be independent yet theatrical at the same time? The only bands that I know that combine the extremity of content found in the music of The Decemberists are either traditional folk songs or heavy metal or Jethro Tull. I mean, take these lyrics from the song that begins the album, "The Infanta":



A phalanx on camelback, thirty ranks

on her forward tack follow close,

their shiny bright standards a'waving.

While behind, in their coaching fours, ride the wives of the king of Moors

and the veiled young virgin, the prince's betrothed.



And we'll all come praise the infanta.



There are heavy metal songs that describe funeral processions for Viking or barbarian warriors of similar ornateness and theatricality, but nothing like this in the indie scene. Musically, they are less outside the mainstream, and often remind me of various bands and performers, in particular the Smiths. Many find resemblances between the Decemberists and Neutral Milk Hotel, but I have to admit to some trouble doing this. But even here they manage to combine elements in unique ways. "The Sporting Life," for instance, has the kind of morbid pathos and wallowing one finds in the Smiths' at their most self-indulgent, as the narrator lies prostrate on an athletic field, watching his disappointed and disapproving father and his girlfriend who walks off arm in arm with the captain of the winning team. Who would have thought of writing such an odd song? Indeed, most of their songs, while interesting, contain subject matter than makes it almost impossible for a listener to empathize with. How is one supposed to respond to "The Infanta?" Most of us feel, if anything, alienated by images of Imperial Spain.



It think the connection with Neutral Milk Hotel comes largely from two elements in the music: the difficulty in connection with the lyrics and the willingness to explore interesting and unusual combinations of instruments. If Neutral Milk Hotel sometimes employs a Theremin, The Decemberists do so far more often. In the end, what saves The Decemberists and makes this an exhilarating album is the sheer energy and enthusiasm in the music, which luckily is also exceedingly well performed and filled with nice hooks.



What does hurt the album is some inconsistency in the songwriting. While songs like "The Infanta" and "From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea" (the latter reminding me of several of the quieter themes found in Ennio Morricone scores for Sergio Leone) are unquestionably very strong songs, there are a few, like "The Bagman's Gambit" or "On the Bus Mall" leave a lot to be desired. Other highlights include "16 Military Wives," complete with rousing horn arrangements, the lovely "The Engine Driver" (another cut that reminds me of The Smiths), and the superb "The Mariner's Revenge Song," one of the cuts that reinforce the image of The Decemberists being obsessed with seafaring imagery.



This is not an album for everyone. Some are going to find its subject matter a little too mannered and posturing for their taste. Myself, I've never minded a bit of the over-the-top. Others who are likeminded might also find this a lot of fun."