the Decemberists

Editor's Review:

“O what a rush of ripe elan / Languor on divans / Dalliant and dainty!” It’s rare when a pop song sends me rushing for my dictionary, and although not unpleasant, pop music for the bourgeoisie, as demonstrated through The Decemberists’ Her Majesty, may be a bit pretentious. Not that pretension doesn’t have its charms. Colin Meloy’s twisting sing-song melodies and whimsical phrases spin some interesting yarns, from a tongue-in-cheek diatribe/love letter, to LA (“Los Angeles, I’m Yours”), to military brotherhood gone a bit too (a-hem) risqué (“The Soldiering Life”), to Meloy’s thirst for the gilded cage (“I Was Meant for the Stage”). The folk music brevity and chamber pop extravagance, alternately tumultuous and pensive, is expertly performed and captured on tape, aiding the heady nature of the recording. If you’ve ever been accused of being a member of the intelligentsia crowd, in this you may find some reprieve.
– Maurice S. Teilmann
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Record Label Kill Rock Stars Released December 2003

Tracks Shanty For The Arethusa Billy Liar Los Angeles, I'm Yours The Gymnast, High Above The Ground The Bachelor And The Bride Song For The Myla Goldberg The Soldiering Life Red Right Ankle The Chimbley Sweep I Was Meant For The Stage As I Rise