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The Decemberists are an American indie folk-rock band based in Portland, Oregon. Formed in 2000, they consist of founding members Colin Meloy (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (piano, keyboards, accordion, backing vocals) and Nate Query (bass), along with drummer John Moen, who joined the lineup in 2005. Their sound is a pleasing mix of alternative rock, folk, baroque pop, and orchestral pop, characterized by lush instrumentation and lovely arrangements and highlighted by Meloy’s beautiful warm vocals. Their interesting name was inspired by the Decembrist revolt, an 1825 insurrection in Imperial Russia, and band frontman Meloy has said that their name is also meant to invoke the “drama and melancholy” of the month of December.
They’ve released a substantial amount of music over the years, especially during their most active period from 2002-2011, including nine studio albums, two live albums, ten EPs and 26 singles. Their songs often touch on historical incidents and folklore, with the band sometimes staging whimsical reenactments of sea battles and other centuries-old events, typically of regional interest, or acting out songs with members of the crowd.(Wikipedia) After their very successful R.E.M.-influenced 6th album The King Is Dead, which reached #1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart and generated a Grammy-nominated song “Down by the Water”, The Decemberists went on a brief hiatus in 2012.
Since regrouping in 2014, they’ve released three albums, one of which, their 2018 album I’ll Be Your Girl, featured the fantastic song “Severed”, a bold electronic track highlighted by spacey synths and twangy Western-style guitars. The single went to #1 on the Billboard AAA chart, and also landed on my chart, ending up at #55 on my 100 Best Songs of 2018 list. Thanks to Covid, the band was essentially forced into another brief hiatus, as their tour had to be postponed, then cancelled. Thankfully, in 2023 they began recording what would become their ninth and latest album, the wonderful As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, which dropped this past Friday, June 14th. The lead single from the album, “Burial Ground”, an upbeat, optimistic track about leaving your troubles behind, featuring added vocals by James Mercer, who’s also a member of the bands The Shins and Broken Bells, ascends to the top spot on my latest Top 30 chart. I love those twangy guitars and cool horns, not to mention the gorgeous harmonies.
After five consecutive weeks with three or more debuts, there are no new entries this week. I think 16 new songs in five weeks gives my chart a lot of youth and vigor! Three songs finally enter the top 10 after a long upward climb: “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, “Loneliness” by the Pet Shop Boys, and “For Us All” by English singer-songwriter Asgard Raven. Green Day‘s “Dilemma” spends its 15th week in my top 10; the song has been at #1 for seven weeks on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.
- BURIAL GROUND – The Decemberists (2)
- TOO SWEET – Hozier (1)
- CREATURES IN HEAVEN – Glass Animals (4)
- MURDER ON THE DANCEFLOOR – Royel Otis (3)
- I’VE GOT LOVING FOR YOU – Bottlecap Mountain (5)
- WRECKAGE – Pearl Jam (10)
- DILEMMA – Green Day (7) 15th week in top 10
- FORTNIGHT – Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone (11)
- LONELINESS – Pet Shop Boys (12)
- FOR US ALL – Asgard Raven (13)
- PANORAMIC VIEW – AWOLNATION (14)
- OVERCOMPENSATE – twenty one pilots (6)
- DON’T FORGET ME – Maggie Rogers (8)
- MUSTANG – Kings of Leon (9)
- SCARED TO START – Michael Marcagi (17)
- BROKEN MAN – St. Vincent (15)
- GOLD – Caitlin Lavagna (19)
- ON THE GAME – The Black Keys (20)
- ADRIFT – Voodoo Planet feat. Mikey J (21)
- END OF BEGINNING – Djo (22)
- HIGH IN LOW PLACES – Beach Weather (28)
- THE BREAK – Blame My Youth (23)
- TOO MUCH – girl in red (24)
- STARBURSTER – Fontaines D.C. (25)
- A FORETOLD ECSTASY – Mayflower Madame (26)
- CAPRICORN – Vampire Weekend (16)
- HIGHWAY QUEEN – Mt. Joy (27)
- LUNCH – Billie Eilish (29)
- LIKE YOU DO – The Frontier (30)
- TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – Dead Slow Hoot (18)
Great song Jeff as we discussed! I was shocked to find out they had a #1 album…usually bands that sound like this don’t chart well. I also like the Americana sound they had earlier on.
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I think this is the quickest you’ve ever commented on a post of mine, Max!
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lol… I was ready! Now I’ll fix my link so it goes to here. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of them before much.
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Must be something in the air in Portland! The Decemberists, Portugal, The Man, Modest Mouse, The Shins…
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Yes indeed! I think it equals Seattle in terms of musical creativity.
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I love that song by The Decemberists, both their harmony singing and that jangly guitar sound – great to see topping it your list!
I’ve heard their name before. Given how long they’ve been around, I’m somewhat surprised I haven’t covered them myself. I’m taking the first step now by writing down their name!
From your top 10 entries, Asgard Raven’s “For Us All” is my favorite.
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Yes, “Burial Ground” has really grown on me.
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I just started listening to their new album. I find the horn action intriguing – not something you frequently hear in folk rock.
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A group I was introduced to via my oldest Daughter so I’m more familiar with the earlier songs. Not a band I’ve kept up with so Im a bit curious to give them more of a listen.
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The melody sounds almost plagiarised such is its simplicity and recall. I’ll get the song or I’ll almost die trying.
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It’s a catchy & pleasant melody that I’m certain is similar to a number of other songs.
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True, but there is one in particular…the lyrics ‘all but I done is wrong’ keep springing to mind.
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It’s a straight up rip-off and I can’t get it. Arghh
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The latest Chat GPT would give a band something like this. It’s too unoriginal.
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That’s your right to dislike it and find it unoriginal, but please don’t ruin it for me.
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I’m not disliking it, and can I speak my opinion? I don’t mean to impinge on your enjoyment of it although it does mine.
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I’m haven’t given the new album a whole listen, but I am a long-time fan of this band. The Hazards of Love is a masterpiece.
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It’s a very good album. I’ve been listening to some of their back catalog.
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I saw them in Charlottesville, Va years back and that’s were I sort of fell for them. I enjoyed your feature.
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Thank you Katie.
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LOVE The Decemberists and James Mercer! (I.E. The Shins, not as familiar with Broken Bells)
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Thank you, Jeff! Your writing & top 30 have been critical to the success of Adrift!
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You’re very welcome. I’m happy to hear this!
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I’m sad there were no new entries this week (not complaining. I know there were plenty of new tracks recently!)
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It would have required dropping older songs off, which I couldn’t do.
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Drop them all and we get 30 new entries! =)
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I didn’t get into them until after I saw them live, amazing performers, I’m looking forward to this new album!
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It’s very good!
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