WHAT A TERRIBLE WORLD, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Ah, The Decemberists. A few years ago they were darlings of the progressive folk genre, having released the very good The Crane Wife and the utterly fantastic The Hazards of Love. However, many were unhappy with their move towards the Americana pop/rock style on The King is Dead.

Now, in 2015, the band returns with a new release sporting the lengthy title What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World and they seem to be aware of the discontent from some over changing up their sound. The opening number, "The Singer Addresses His Audience" is a very plain statement from the band to those fans who have become critical of them that the change was necessary. That the band couldn't remain musically stagnant is understandable and admirable. Bands should not aspire to become creative stagnant, after all.

However, the band's response is somewhat betrayed by the fact that, on the whole, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is a bit of a retreat in terms of The Decemberists' musical direction. The album moves the band towards their pre-Crane Wife sound mixed with a bit of The King is Dead whilst going for a slightly more "polished" (read: commercially viable) indie rock direction.

That is not meant to slag the band or this release off. I think What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is a terrific album just as I also thought The King is Dead was a terrific album.

However, I must be honest - this is not a "prog" album. Many songs, like "Cavalry Captain" and the first single, "Make You Better", are enjoyably melodic pop/rock tracks and the band is very talented at making this kind of music. If you are looking for progressive folk/rock though, you will not find it here.

That said, I do think that this album will appeal to both fans of the band and to some fans of progressive rock because the songwriting remains clever with a strong emphasis on melody.

So I do recommend the album, despite the change in direction with the band's sound. Some may be disappointed because it's not a prog album, but despite that, believe it or not, the music is still good.

Highlights: "Cavalry Captain", "Make You Better", "Till The Water's All Gone", "Carolina Low", "A Beginning Song"