The Decemberists - The Hazards Of Love

Originally I wasn't going to bother blogging about The Decemberists' The Hazards Of Love CD, simply because everybody else already has. The thing is, I think it's only fair that I provide my readers with a reason why I've been terribly negligent about listening to anything else over the past month, and that reason, as you may have already guessed, is due to the fact that this album exists. It's brilliant, it's addictive and, to be quite honest, it's the album that I've been waiting 20 years for.

It's true that this means my waiting for it predates the existence of The Decemberists by about 11 years, but so does my love for the well executed concept album. It's also true the number of overwrought and pretentious concept albums greatly outweigh the ones that are done well, (and it could be argued that even the ones that are done well are a bit overwrought and pretentious) but when it works, it takes the experience of listening to music to a whole new level. The idea of an entire album being a solid work of art unto itself, as opposed to being a collection of shorter 'works of art' means that the listener has to be willing to commit. Admittedly, most people aren't ready for that kind of commitment, and this is why The Hazards Of Love will continue to polarize people like no other album has in recent years. Simply being a fan of The Decemberists does not mean that you are going to dig this one, and the opposite holds true as well.

I thought I'd refrain from a formal review this time around since, like I said, the album has been reviewed enough already, but I thought I could at least relate a couple of the reasons why it appeals to me, perhaps moreso than it might for others. The first reason, as I've already alluded to, is my obvious love for progressive rock. My admission of prog-love has likely already banished me from the throngs of indie rock credibility forever but one cannot hide who he is. Sure, the album dips into several other territories including folk, ambient, glam-rock and even some very obvious homages to metal, but more than anything else this is a prog album, through and through. The second reason for my succumbing to the album's powers is my admiration for an epic love story. I've ranted before about my disdain for the common love song, i.e. the type that leads you to believe that true love requires little to no effort and always ends up all hearts and roses. But as for the love that strives to endure through the greatest of trials and still has to struggle to stay alive, well this has always been a tale that never tires for me. And never before has this tale been related with such eloquence within the boundaries of rock 'n roll, than on this album.

Lastly, there is also no real need to dwell on the specifics of the narrative since this also has already been dissected elsewhere, but it is safe to say that the storyline would all be meaningless if the music wasn't any good. Although several of the tracks do work quite well on their own, the album really is meant to be listened to as a whole, and under that criteria, it is an outstandingly adventurous piece of music. Like a classical composition the album contains a wealth of highs and lows, and while the complaint has been made that the songs lack any real hook, all I can wonder is what album are these people listening to? The recurring refrain of "the wanting comes in waves" as well as the expression that gives the album it's name, is a hook that remains in my subconscious consistently, to the point that I find myself craving it often. Some have also mentioned the lack of strong melodies, but I think that moments like The Rake Song, The Drowned and most notably Wager All prove that this also is not a very strong argument.

Ultimately, this album is not for everyone, and obviously it does require some work on the part of the listener. But if you're up to the challenge, the payoff is epic and if you're looking for something unique, especially within the current musical climate, than The Hazards of Love is definitely a great place to go.

The Decemberists are playing the Kool Haus on Monday August 3rd. Above photo is on myspace

Myspace: The Decemberists

Other stuff:
There are a couple of exciting shows coming to Massey Hall in the near future. Sonic Youth are going to be performing on Tuesday June 30th in support of their upcoming release The Eternal. which is due out on June 9th. The tickets range from $36.50 to $48.50. Also Fleet Foxes are apparently big enough to play Massey as well now and they'll be doing so on Tuesday August 4th with tickets ranging from $32.50 to $39.50. [Myspace: Sonic Youth; Fleet Foxes]

Well, the relative peace was fun as it lasted but it looks like drama has returned to the world of Wilco since former bandmate Jay Bennett has decided to sue Jeff Tweedy over some royalties involved with the documentary from a few years back. The story is on Pitchfork while the new album, masterfully entitled Wilco (The Album) is due out on June 30th. The first single is called Wilco, The Song and the album apparently contains a duet with Feist. Looking forward to it. [Mspace: Wilco]

As part of Largehearted Boy's 'author interviewing musician series', author Ben Greenman interviews former Old 97'er Rhett Miller. [Myspace: Rhett Miller]

Apparently, either Coldplay plagiarises everybody, or Viva La Vida sounds exactly the same as every song ever written! The latest complainant: Cat Stevens. Story is on Stereogum. [Myspace: Coldplay, Cat Stevens]

The Receiver have posted a couple of new tracks from their upcoming album on myspace. The album is called Length Of Arms and it is due out on May 8th. [Myspace: The Receiver]

Songs From A Room - EP

In 2007 I saw Songs From A Room three times from August to December. The fact that I had only planned on seeing them one of those times is a testament to what a hard working band they are, as well as the caliber of bands that they have had the privilege of sharing the stage with. Their first EP was a throat shredding, mind numbing display of post punk with a leaning towards the hardcore. Yesterday, the band released their latest EP for digital download on iTunes and Dine Alone Records and, although I quite enjoyed the first one, they have taken a remarkable step up on this semi-sophomore release. Although some would view an homage to more of a 70's classic rock territory to be a digression of sorts, I feel that the instrumentation is significantly tighter, and the vocals sound much more controlled and uncompromising.

The EP opens with Revival, an intense rocker that harks back to the pre-Diane Warren penned Aerosmith, back when they could rock as hard as any of the more reputable punk bands of the time. The heavy pulsated drum sound coupled with the immediate shouting vocal work prevents the sound from ever getting too cheesy. Aches Maybe Angst dips into slightly bluesier jam band territory, where again the percussion and the riff heavy guitar work make this song impossible to ignore. The Black That We Clad relies a bit more on melody than in your face rock, but still manages to meld the two worlds together successfully. However, it's back to being all "in your face" with We Are The Ones, which encourages fist pumping rather effectively. High Road is probably my least favourite song on the album, not because it's particularly bad or anything, but more because it lacks the immediacy of some of the other songs, almost borrowing from early 90's Brit pop, but doing so a tad unconvincingly. The EP then closes with To My Surprise, which travels along the same road as the previous song, but fares a little bit better as it segues into some subtle psychedelia.

The new EP showcases a band that is just starting to get comfortable with what they're doing; discovering their sound and settling nicely into it. As they perform more and more shows, it'll be interesting to watch them get even more secure in their musical niche, and there's no doubt that the songs will continue to grow ever more riveting.

Songs From A Room are playing Dave Bookman's Nu Music Nite at The Horseshoe on December 16th with Arkells, We Are The Take and Young Rival. Should be a great show and it's Free!

Photo by Dan Novisedlak

Myspace: Songs From A Room

Other stuff: Not that I'm their biggest fan in the world, but before their song California became forever associated with a bunch of goofy teens from Orange County, I kinda dug the classic power pop sound of Phantom Planet. Well, it looks like they've decided to call it a day, with their last show being at The Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 12th. [Myspace: Phantom Planet]

Wintersleep relate how they were counselled by a church going music promotor and a Nazi police officer both in the same night. You can read the entire interview at the Von Pip Express. [Myspace: Wintersleep]

Stereogum has the latest video from Portishead's Third album, entitled Magic Doors. Surreal, mesmerizing, bizarre and captivating. [Myspace: Portishead]

Tomorrow night (November 27th) is the CD release party for Spookey Ruben's latest prog rock opus Mechanical Royalty. It takes place at The Horseshoe and it's $7. Also on the bill is Schomberg Fair, Whale Tooth and Black Hat Brigade. More info on the album can be found at blogto.com. [Myspace: Spookey Ruben]

Are you as elated as I am to hear that Coldplay are planning on doing what they should have done two albums ago and decided to call it a day? Me too. Do you believe them yet? Me neither. [Myspace: Coldplay]

And on a sad note, you've probably already heard the news about the untimely death of Kenny McLean, the former bass player for Platinum Blonde. There aren't many details as of yet, but apparently it seems to be due to a heart related problem, according to wikipedia. Although you rarely hear people speak of the band as a major influence, I have to say that their 80's output was definitely a major contributor to my own musical tastes. Listening to 1985's Alien Shores, I have to say that their material still holds up very well. Last Friday he had just played a CD Release show at The Mod Club for his latest CD Completely. Sad news indeed. [Myspace: Kenny McLean]