Tuesday, November 2nd 2010
News: The Decemberists
The Decemberists Draw Blood Down By The Water
We’ve been eagerly awaiting The Decemberists’ follow-up to last year’s truly exceptional Hazards Of Love since June when the band first announced recording was underway. That album, the band’s sixth LP, now has a name and release date. Oh, and we’ve got a song.
Our buddies over at Consequence Of Sound have figured out that The Decemberists’ next one will be called The King Is Dead, and is set for release in January 2010 (January 18th being the rumored date). Meanwhile, another buddy, The Audio Perv has dug up the first single, Down By The Water:
The King Is Dead will feature guest appearances by Gillian Welch and REM’s Peter Buck. Here’s the full tracklist:
1. Don’t Carry It All
2. Calamity Song
3. Rise To Me
4. Rox In The Box
5. January Hymn
6. Down By The Water
7. All Arise!
8. June Hymn
9. This Is Why We Fight
10. Dear Avery
Frontman Colin Meloy has said that the new album has more “straightforward, driving folk/rock.” Claims that it was inspired in part by the best work of Buck’s legendary group are certainly supported by the upbeat yet haunting first single… though that’s not much of a culture shock for the Portland troubadours; no one wears those sinister smiles quite like The Decemberists.
I was nowhere near a Decemberists mood when I hit play. Now I am very much in a Decemberists mood. Excellent job, Decemberists.
these guys are on the verge of becoming one of my official favorite bands.
Does this song feature Buck? It sure sounds like him in the background.
yeah, this song features welch and buck. also, that release date of 1/18/11 has been confirmed by the band.
I saw this on my news feed on my phone at work, and I’ve been waiting all day to get home so that I could give it a proper listen. Excellent.
It’s funny that Peter Buck is involved. Strangely before I read that I was reminded of REM’s The One I Love when I was listening to the track. It’s good. This band keeps getting better.
I agree! It does have a similar sound to “The One I Love” . I might have to give these guys a better listen.
Yeah, they are definitely worth your time. I think their last two albums are incredible. FWIW, I’m a diehard REM fan.
Peter Buck appearing on a Decemberist’s album has been a matter of when, not if..after Meloy’s inclusion on the Minus 5′s gun album in 2006, and Venus 3′s Olé Tarantula in 2009, I have been expecting all sorts of people from the REM/ Young Fresh Fellows/ Robyn Hitchcock collectives to show up on a Decemberist’s effort…and they probably will ,eventually. DBTW makes me excited to hear the rest of the album and I can’t wait to see them do it live ( tour dates were announced last week).