THE CRANE WIFE

I got acquainted with the Decemberists through THE HAZARDS OF LOVE and worked backwards starting here. THE HAZARDS OF LOVE is such a brilliant recording just because of how the Decemberists compacted their sound into one unique brand. THE CRANE WIFE is the same group at their most uncertain.

Are they an indie band? ''When the War Came'' and ''The Perfect Crime No.2'' certainly make strong cases. Both songs are the heaviest I've ever heard the Decemberists, and both are very strong highlights even if ''Perfect Crime'' has a sucky chorus.

Are they a folk band? There are four instances were this happens. The opener isn't too bad and the closing ''Sons and Daughters'' is easily my favourite track of the album; it has this pompous pump to it that makes for a great capper. Unfortunately, ''Shankill Butchers'' and ''Summersong'' are uneventful and completely skippable.

Are they a hybrid indie-folk band? That's here in ''Yankee Bayonet'' and ''O Valencia!''. Both songs are pretty twee and upbeat, but they bring out the weaknesses in all lead vocalists involved.

Are they a prog rock band? They make valiant attempts in the two longer pieces. The first ''Crane Wife'' part is the very best of the three, and the opening theme of ''The Island'' is the finest instrumental performance of the album. However, both pieces go dry halfway through. Meloy never need to sing falsetto on ''The Landlord's Daughter''.

THE CRANE WIFE is too much of a hodgepodge to really be an essential, but there are a few pearls here if you look hard enough.