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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. The Infanta |
| 2. We Both Go Down Together |
| 3. Eli, The Barrow Boy |
| 4. The Sporting Life |
| 5. The Bagman’s Gambit |
| 6. From My Own True Love (Lost At Sea) |
| 7. Military Wives |
| 8. The Engine Driver |
| 9. On The Bus Mall |
| 10. The Mariner’s Revenge Song |
| 11. Of Angels and Angles |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was a spur of the moment buy, based on a Guardian review - not always a reliable source but it sounded intriguing. What a lucky choice! These aren't just songs, these are a collection of wonderful, sometimes surreal, stories plucked from goodness knows where by the mind of writer Colin Maloy. It reminds me of the old English folk tradition of recounting tales of derring do and woe in equal measure. 'This Sporting life' tells of one man's embarrassment at a 'Charlie Brown' moment on the playing field (been there myself),' The Mariner's Revenge Song' is a haunting tale of a son given to seeking out the man responsible for his mother's death and eventually finding themselves together in the belly of a whale - all set to a rousing sea shanty song, complete with accordian. Entrancing stuff! Almost every track is a gem - it's the sort of album where you find yourself singing the songs long after you've switched the player off. Almost every song/story is a gem. Oh, just buy it -it's fab!!
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
don't suppose this is for everyone, so individual and original are The Decemberists (folk-pop-indie-rock?), but, my god, do I love it myself. I don't really know what to say about it. Great melodies, great stories in the words, a haunting voice. It's got everything. It swells and crashes like storm-bred waves; it's folk yet its indie-rock; it's the most atmospheric music I've heard in years. I could listen to it for hours and hours. I do. I've not heard anything like it before.
This is certainly my favourite of their releases so far. They get better and better. Highlights include "The Engine Driver" (a lovely lament), "A Cautionary Song" (bawdy and sad), "We Both Go Down Together" (moving, tragic) and "The Mariner's Revenge Song" (a true sea-going epic!) Oh, and watch out for the sombre and solemn "Eli, the Barrow Boy" - it might lead to a little tear or two. Actually, there are so many great tracks here, almost all of them are special.
I can't guarantee that you'll like this but, well, you should; it's superb stuff. Music just as it should be. Have a listen to The Engine Driver (available at various places online) and if you like then go straight out and GET THIS ALBUM. You won't regret it. I'm making all my friends listen to them now.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Now, this may seem a little over the top but I think they jolly well have! They have turned me into one of those people who only like to listen to the same one or two bands ALL the time, despite the fact that their favourite bands are many.
'Picaresque' is only the second Decemberists album in my possession (The first being 'The Hazards Of Love' which I must listen to at least once a day), and it is a sheer joy from beginning to end. My personal favourite has to be 'We both go down together' which picks up Mr Meloy's recurrent theme of drowning/suicide pact inducing, all consuming love.
I really struggle to explain to people who ask 'what music do you like', but that is the benefit of only listening to two bands. You don't have to describe it 'Belle and Sebastian and The Decemberists' is my reply and with a puff of smoke , I am gone and they have not got a clue what I am on about.
So in conclusion, but this one and that one and any other one there is and give your brain a treat!
'Picaresque' is only the second Decemberists album in my possession (The first being 'The Hazards Of Love' which I must listen to at least once a day), and it is a sheer joy from beginning to end. My personal favourite has to be 'We both go down together' which picks up Mr Meloy's recurrent theme of drowning/suicide pact inducing, all consuming love.
I really struggle to explain to people who ask 'what music do you like', but that is the benefit of only listening to two bands. You don't have to describe it 'Belle and Sebastian and The Decemberists' is my reply and with a puff of smoke , I am gone and they have not got a clue what I am on about.
So in conclusion, but this one and that one and any other one there is and give your brain a treat!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great earlier Decemberists
I recently stumbled across The Hazards of Love and fell head-over-heels in love, so I was eager to sample some more of the Decemberists. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Nicholas Blatchley
Good but not great!
I'm a bit disappointed to be honest.
There are some good songs and I suppose it was worth it for "we both go down together" and "the mariners revenge song" alone but I... Read more
There are some good songs and I suppose it was worth it for "we both go down together" and "the mariners revenge song" alone but I... Read more
Published 22 months ago by The man dressed as a light bulb
Another unearthed gem
Have only recently discovered this band but they are already becoming one of my favourites.
Both this album and the latest "Hazards of Love" are both excellent. Read more
Both this album and the latest "Hazards of Love" are both excellent. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by A. J. Pearson
great introduction to a great band
I came to this album backwards, as it were, after first hearing The Crane Wife, the Decemberists' subsequent work of genius. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by time I had some time alone
Blame a music magazine...
How long ago now, two years? Yet still I can play this album and never be bored with a single song. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2007 by Koncorde
Find him, bind him, tie him to a pole and break his fingers.
Colin Meloy is an excellent songwriter. "Picaresque" is extremely varied and a very entertaining album which reveals more of itself with every listen. Read more
Published on 9 July 2007 by Mr. M. J. Archer
Much better than 'The Crane Wife'
I recently wrote a review of 'The Crane Wife' by the Decemberists and I've got to admit I wasn't too complimentary. As I said then I hadn't listened to their previous output. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2006 by Mike J. Wheeler
Picturesque "Picaresque"
The obscure word "Picaresque" is an accurate title for the third full-length album by the Decemberists. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2006 by E. A Solinas
absolutely brillant
i heard about this band when i was watching an american chat show on CNBC called Connon o'Brian and i thought they were quiet good but did not think they were amazing. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2006 by D. Agha-Jaffar
Very Good And Original
I would recommend this album to anyone who is looking for something a little different. The Decemberists have achieved a method of song writting that gives songs an obvious plot,a... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2005 by "lewaz4"
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