Sometimes an album just gets under your skin and into your heart and there’s nothing you can do about it—nothing you want to do about it. The Decemberists’ The King Is Dead is such a record. I’d kind of resisted this band, mostly for superficial reasons, such as seeming too theatrical and such. But, there you go.
However, thanks to a musician friend, I gave The King Is Dead a shot. My reaction was instant, visceral. And I’m deeply grateful for the recommendation.
The songs on this album are really wonderful and cover real topics for the real world such as love, family, parenthood, war, and nature. It's a record for grown ups. (This is probably why it’s number 1 on the charts. The King Is Dead is being purchased by people like me who remember buying albums.) Take a tune such as “Rise To Me,” written for singer/songwriter Colin Meloy's son. It's so unfathomably beautiful. As a parent, I feel to a certain extent, I live this song. The unconditional love you have for your kids. The fact you’d do anything for them. That’s this song. And it makes me cry to hear it.
On The King Is Dead The Decemberists are playing folk rock/Americana filled with accordion, fiddle, and slide guitar. Or maybe it's alt-country. But maybe it doesn't matter what you call it. Just listen.
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