Review: The Decemberists - The Crane Wife

The first time I listened to this album, I couldn't get past the first two songs. I had to just keep listening to those songs. They were like heaven in song form. The Crane Wife 3 being one of the best album openers I have heard in a long time, and The Island being one of the most impressive songs ever. Its instrumental parts keep your attention and before you realize it, the next section is playing and you're the happiest person in the world. As soon as You'll Not Feel The Drowning comes on, you know that you're about to hear what is the most moving song that has come out of any band in a long time. Then I got to Yankee Bayonet, and my mind was blown. I couldn't believe my ears. What I was hearing was beyond belief. Further listening revealed O Valencia! and The Perfect Crime #2. Two great songs that help brought me back down to Earth. Even the repetition of the phrase "it was the perfect, the perfect, the perfect crime..." was not the least bit annoying even though it has the potential to be.

Next comes When the War Came. This song contains that perfect amount of electric flavor that any album can use, and no album has too much of. Following When the War Came is the melodic, acoustic, and somewhat creepy Shankhill Butchers. This song uses the power, beauty, and edginess of the acoustic guitar sound as a compliment to the raw and rough singing. The background singing adds a gracious tone to the song, which makes me cry every time I hear it. With the strain in his voice on the lines "'cause everybody knows..." displays a graceful rawness that is extremely rare and most impressive. Next comes the catchy, subdued, and still energetic, Summersong.

As the album comes to the final lap, the Decemberists reveal that they have no intent of going down quietly. The epic Crane Wife 1&2 begins, and you know this roller coaster is far from over. As the Crane Wife 1 progresses the essence of real music is apparent. By the time part 2 arrives, you are transfigured into the song. It has completely captured all you're attention, and you are ready to let go of all around you, and become one with the song. And when the last minute comes, the drums kick; you are ready, you start singing along, oblivious to that that is around you. And then, it ends…..and as Sons and Daughters starts and you breathe for the first time in 6 minutes. And you listen and can't help but to find yourself singing along yet again. You can’t help but to notice those subtle backing vocals with which, help form the perfect melodies for this song. And as the infamous "hear all the bombs fade away..." build up, the complete album finally arrives, and you can’t help but realize this voyage that the Decemberists have led you through. And you can't wait for it to start all over again.

Highlights
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3
The Decemberists - The Island...

and a b-side that wasn't on the album, but still deserves a listen (or two)...
The Decemberists - After the Bombs

Buy the album: Amazon