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ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID: VOL 2The DecemberistsProg Folk2.58 | 5 ratings |
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ClemofNazareth
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Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher |
On the second release in the “Always the Bridesmaid” series the band seems to reach back to the mid-
seventies for Paper Lace-like pop rhythms, combined with their sometimes penchant for R.E.M.-inspired
ambience. Add Colin Meloy’s admirable story-telling abilities and you have an almost danceable ditty
about some lady named Elaine who seems to have a problem with bad men and booze; combined with
a slow-building and awkward love song of the sort that makes geeky Decemberists fans virtually swoon
with delight. Not much in the progressive music department, but these are both catchy tunes that will
go over quite well in future concerts for the band. There’s also a longer version of “Days of Elaine”
included with a few instrumental flourishes, but its not all that much different than the first version
really.“I’m Sticking with You” features keyboardist Jenny Conlee in the lead singing role for some reason. It is quite unusual for the band to feature anything but the quavering tenor of Colin Meloy in the lead vocal role, but in this instance the result is at least charming, at best a nice stretch for the band. The song takes a minute to get going and starts off sounding like a Conlee piano/vocal solo; but eventually guitarist Chris Funk throws down with some pretty cool fuzz guitar and Colin Meloy gets behind the drum kit and the whole thing ends up being another disjointed and haphazard cacophony much like the ending of “I Was Meant for the Stage”. Again, this ain’t timeless progressive rock, but its kind of fun to listen to. There would be one more ‘bridesmaid’ single before the band wrapped up the series around Christmas 2008. The new studio release is due out in March and will surely be much more interesting and complex than these songs, but for a couple bucks you can at least whet your appetite for all things Decemberists and hopefully that will keep you going for the time being. Two stars just because this isn’t for general mass consumption, but recommended to anyone who digs the band. peace
ClemofNazareth |
2/5 |
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