The King Is Alive!

The Decemberists new album The King is Dead is their most exciting offering in years!

Immediately as the harmonica and drums kick in on 'Don't Carry It All' the album is off to a happy start. It is followed by an even more uplifting, early-80s-R.E.M.-esque, jangle-pop classic called 'Calamity Song' that finds this now seasoned band going back to its roots.

The eighth song, 'June Hymn', is reminiscent of the 60s New York coffeehouse scene. It moves through rootsy, lilting, sweet lyrics and music and leaves a glow that only Colin Meloy's voice is capapble of affecting.

There are only ten relatively short songs. They take you on a nice ride through a range of feel-good songs. In many ways, this is two things at once: an early Decemberists album and a brand new path.

I enjoy it immensely. They have proven once again that they can travel well in any direction they want!