THE HAZARDS OF LOVE

This is the only Decemberists album I've really found myself to be enthused by, perhaps because it's the one album of theirs where they do the most to dial back the affected tweeness that frequently irritates in their other work - though ultimately they aren't able to suppress it entirely. A gothic folk melodrama concept album revolving around deadly feuds, fatal consequences, sinister crimes and supernatural weirdness, the Decemberists create a jagged sonic world which runs with some of the grimmer themes indulged in by the likes of Comus, albeit with a vastly more accessible musical backing - for instance, The Rake's Song is the catchiest, happiest sing-along prog folk song about murdering your own children I've ever heard. Probably the best of their material, but... ah.... I just can't get over those vocals.