Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now listen carefully..., 15 Jul 2009
You may, like the Guardian's music critic, listen to this and come to the conclusion that this is a silly concept album about some kind of magical demon and a bunch of incongruous events that befall a poor medieval maiden. This being so, you will have likely missed out on the bit of your GCSE English where they told you about "metaphor." Metaphor, should you wonder, is a literary device, where, for example, one might describe a person as "an injured fawn" without actually thinking them to be a baby deer, but merely alike to one in some way.
This, more likely, then, is an album about a rake, a cad, a psychopath (although found weak and wanting when childlike bound by his mother's love at the anagnorisis) who beguiles some well meaning woman by his (probably unconscious) neediness, then regrets the burden of loyalty that comes with his boon, and most of all of babies, gets widowed, is cross about it, bumps off the babies, then is haunted by guilt, before getting drowned (or drowning himself in a fit of mixed and inarticulate emotions) finally redisovering his loyal, selfless (pshah, as if: it's easy to repent at the end !) and loving self in moments of (narcissistic and maternally cossetted) demise.
Or maybe it's not, who am I to say?
Either way, this might not be for you. For example, if you believe that bands should stick to one thing or another, and not mix it up, then fine, go back to your daily mail, go hold hands with prince Charles, and enjoy your comfy chintzy sofa and mug of cocoa. Equally, if you cringe at prog-rock style guitar, judas-priest era riffing, country and western steel guitar and folk jingle-jangle all mixed up with portentous, over-serious, artsy-lyrics (yes, they are silly at times) then get thee back to hoxton: people will still find you pretty there, and you can always start to enjoy life later on.
On the other hand, if you can perhaps see an album in the same light oyu might see a book: capable of using cliche and concept to tell a story, and to create a plausible character, to suspend disbelief, and to just enjoy the experience, then this is pretty much right up there.
And it's not all Wishbone Ash, there's some very nice music too.
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27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Classic, 28 Mar 2009
For those that already like the Decemberists, this will not dissapoint, as its easily the best album they have produced to date (which is saying something). Some people do not get Colin Meloys signing or delivery, a bit like people dont always get Willie Nelson, those who do, love it, those who don't might say he can't sing? He can!
The Hazards of Love is a modern folk/rock concept album (something Colin Meloy bristles at, at the very suggestion) but producing a modern concept album, its bound to have those comparisons rightly or wrongly. Its a mini opera, its a modern masterpiece, its a story set in mythical forest where a father gleefully dispatches his own children, one by one. Despite the sombre storyline its far far from a depressing album. Its got real depth, which means that it has to be worked at a little, all the better for it, because these are the types of albums which last for years.
This may well propell the Decemberists to become major names, which on one hand will be a shame because their intimate shows are a delight, but albums of this calibre are going to ensure that they are going to get plenty of exposure. Do yourself a favour, buy this album, lock yourself in a room and play, and then play again, because it opens up so much more with frequent listens. It should not be judged on one half arsed listen. Album of the year, almost certainly for me, and possibly album of the decade too, because I cant see how this is going to be topped.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
the complete works, 13 Jun 2009
This is the only album I've heard from The Decemberists.
And it's bloody brilliant.
Take a bit of prog-folk ala Strawbs, throw in a bit of Fairport/Sandy Denny, add a pinch of heavy-rock and let it simmer for 20 years.....freshen up with a twist of modern Americana and hey presto.....you've got yourself an all time classic album. Have had this on almost constantly in the car for a month and can hardly bring myself to press eject.Poor Old Neil Young's Fork in the Road hasn't had a look-in, and he's my all time hero.
Almost reluctant to buy their other albums cos I can't see how they can top this one.....but it's a risk I'm gonna have to take, especially as some other reviewers seem to rate them higher than Hazards.
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