THE KING IS DEAD

The Decemberists is a band that is loved by many. They are noticeable because of their immense talent in song-writing, always elegant and intriguing. Their zenit was probably the brilliant 2009 release "The Hazards Of Love",the album that turned everybody on. Here we are in 2011, and do we have? "The King Is Dead", basically a big turn-back to the band's roots. After such an ambitious album, I can't help being disappointed with this one.

I don't remember the Decemberists being THIS basic. All the progressive influences are gone, giving place to the country/folkish ones, there is no type of experimentation in the album, just an extremely plain an simple country album. This is the thing that disappointed me and many others. We in fact find typical country instruments along the album, such as the fiddle and the harmonica. Some might even describe this abum annoying and pretty much useless, and it does have a lot of dull and pointless moments, where you just want to skip to the next track. This probably because personally I'm not a huge country music fan, but I usually would be able to appreciate a good piece of this genre.

"The King Is Dead", despite having a lot of boring songs, has some good ones. "Don't Carry It All", even though it's extremely country is one of my favorite songs of the album. "Calamity Song" is another song of which I can't help liking the melody. "This is Why We Fight" is a catchy and provocative tune, very intriguing and melodic. However, I can't find anything that comes to these levels, that, let me make it clear, I really wished were higher.

An album with some good moments, but isn't really worth listening all the way through. One of those albums that will be forgotten in between all the albums that will be released in 2011.