Album Haiku: The King is Dead by the Decemberists
Light poetic tunes
Strings dance through alt-rock country
Simple, beautiful.
Songs we can’t take off repeat; “Down by the Water,” “Rox in the Box,” “Don’t Carry It All,” and “This Is Why We Fight.”
4 out of 5
Harmonica, banjo, steel guitar, this album is packed full of gorgeous string’s that just twang it up in the most simply stunning way. It’s relaxing and smooth on certain tracks and feet-tapping fast on other tracks. The entire album has a really warm feeling to it, and after listening to it about ten or eleven times it keeps growing on me like springtime flowers. I love Gillian Welch on vocals too, especially on “Down by the Water.” From the instruments to the lyrics this album is a peach! I want to say it has this very alt-rock country Americana roots feel that is perfect for this time of year! I also must add that the opening song “Don’t Carry It All” will nab you hook line and sinker. “The King is Dead” is a lot different from “The Hazards of Love” and in a good way at that. This is the first album of 2011 that I adore! I hope I get to see them play these songs live this spring or summer!
Album released on Capitol 1/18/2011.