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DOWN BY THE WATER

The Decemberists

Prog Folk


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The Decemberists Down By The Water album cover
2.54 | 7 ratings | 5 reviews | 0% 5 stars

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Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, released in 2010

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Down By The Water (3:42)

Total Time 3:42

Line-up / Musicians

The Decemberists:
Jenny Conlee/ piano, accordian
Chris Funk/ lead guitar
Colin Meloy/ vocals, guitar
John Moen/ drums
Nate Query/ bass

Guests:
Peter Buck/ guitar
Gillian Welch/ vocals

Releases information

Single, Digital Download available form www.decemberists.com

Thanks to missinglink07 for the addition
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THE DECEMBERISTS Down By The Water ratings distribution


2.54
(7 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(0%)
0%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(29%)
29%
Good, but non-essential (43%)
43%
Collectors/fans only (29%)
29%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

THE DECEMBERISTS Down By The Water reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Conor Fynes
PROG REVIEWER
2 stars 'Down By The Water' - The Decemberists (Single)

The single from an album that sorely disappointed me, 'Down By The Water' feels like a pretty typical track for this album, possibly done a little better than what I generally heard from that album. Showcasing The Decemberists' latest sound, they seem to be returning to the alternative country voice that they had with their first EPs and demos. Unfortunately, this is one step forward and ten steps back for a band I was really getting excited about.

While the past two albums before really impressed me with their progressive tendencies and more rock-leaning elements, 'Down By The Water' shows what the band has become now; back to their basic roots as a cookie cut country act. While the fact that Meloy was going back to a more basic form of songwriting is not necessarily to this song's credit on its own, it is moreso the lackluster and predictable way the song is written and performed.

The song is certainly listenable for its warm acoustics and some decent harmonica work, but the song never feels as if it goes anywhere particularly interesting; instead reprising the same tired chorus. It feels like a track for their first EP, in other words.

Quite a disappointment.

Review by Marty McFly
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
2 stars Frankly, this is a very great single, if by great you mean representative of full album. Because this song is everything this album is - return to roots, easy listening folkrock/country. I was anticipating TKID a lot, so when this single was out, I eagerly listened it and, was left a bit disappointed. Well, maybe more than a bit. After all, how couldn't I be disappointed, expecting something bigger than ... this.

2(+), not bad song, but the same as album - it simply isn't what I (and some other fans, even I'm aware that majority of The Decemberists fans wants this style). Not bad, but a bit simple.

Review by Epignosis
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Down by the Water" has a Louisiana Southern Rock sound that appeals to me, having grown up in the southeast region of North Carolina. The song has a mean harmonica and foot-stomping rhythm. As a country boy, this song has it out for me even if it has nothing to do with progressive rock. Despite any resemblance to The Decemberists of old, this song is straight-up country music made for today. Gillian Welch's vocals are a welcome appearance on this raw country rock tune, and produce a nice contrast to Colin Meloy's familiar inflections. I love the tremolo on the guitar.

Latest members reviews

3 stars This is a GREAT song! The album it comes off of however, not so good. Only this song as well as "Don't Carry It All" held my interest from THE KING IS DEAD. An album of very folksy, country type music that bored me overall. This song is in the vein of an REM tune, especially the singing style ... (read more)

Report this review (#451620) | Posted by mohaveman | Tuesday, May 24, 2011 | Review Permanlink

3 stars Although they've been playing a few songs off of their upcoming album "The King Is Dead" in concert, this is the first recorded track officially released by the Decemberists, available from their website. After the absolute beauty that was their last album "The Hazards of Love" and the glory of ... (read more)

Report this review (#308845) | Posted by missinglink07 | Sunday, November 7, 2010 | Review Permanlink

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