![The Crane Wife [Vinyl]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vWfNV3jhZboJJALuuURYkphj24P-UjN280um5XWETOGz5WcD3LNA7UL4e-hq3RfKeu4QT99qM3H9HZFgDBCp26-4AiC16-J1L0A12a-dA7kkXzbEQ8E3PA=s0-d)
List Price : $20.98 Price : $14.92
![The Crane Wife [Vinyl]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_ujCzyZOAzmQWBfTPHK1RiOxqg9FGL6DTFhNO4IaoJBri8DzpyDnLW5zrD-c2JL2mKJb04nkcNiT4cqgBOOCtJpL-dBoahWSXRXzw=s0-d)
Album Description
The Decemberists' album, "The Crane Wife," is thematically based on a tragic Japanese folk tale, but band leader Colin Meloy promises a fair dose of rock'n'roll, rape, murder and violence as well. The set is the fivesome's fourth full-length and their first since moving over to a major label from Kill Rock Stars. Recruiting Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla and Seattle mainstay Tucker Martine to man the decks.
Amazon.com
Capitol raised a few eyebrows when they signed indie stalwarts the Decemberists. There's nothing blatantly commercial about the Portland quintet, from Colin Meloy's quavery voice and hyper-literate lyrics to the band's wide-ranging music, which encompasses baroque pop, prog rock, and dozens of other styles. Then again, he did once sing, "I was made for the stage," and those who've seen the group live know this to be true. Sure, they're storytellers, but they're entertainers, too--just not in the Top 40 sense. Never ones to play it safe, their major label debut takes its inspiration from a Japanese folk tale. It travels from the Replacements-style balladry of "The Crane Wife 3"--which joins words like "Each feather it fell from skin/'Til threadbare while she grew thin" to the melody from "Here Comes a Regular"--to the ELP hoedown of three-part epic "The Island" to the haunting duet between Meloy and Laura Veirs on "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)." It's an impressively eclectic effort that somehow manages to avoid sounding scattered. Co-produced by Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie) and Tucker Martine (the Long Winters), the Decemberists' fourth full-length is richer, less immediately catchy than its predecessor (there's nothing as bouncy here as Picaresque's "Sixteen Military Wives"). It's also a deeper work that resists snap judgments. Some records hit you over the head with their brilliance, others need time to percolate. Time will tell if The Crane Wife is the Decemberists' best album--it's certainly their most ambitious so far. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
![The Crane Wife [Vinyl]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tbif5ow0Nc7RNvAdNFo4k7AxBpsKnzOliZcyDstH5ShcH3y80RMyIzt6Ms0uE1NLUYb10LAZbkp_2o6U30Dgs3GY8R8i5fjD6iVQ=s0-d)
The Crane Wife [Vinyl] Reviews
The Crane Wife [Vinyl] Reviews
| 130 of 140 people found the following review helpful  Their Best? Probably., By Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: The Crane Wife (Audio CD) The Decemberists' fourth full-length album, and their first for a major record label, is, in my opinion, their best album to date. What's great about "The Crane Wife" is that it has a major record label sound without sacrificing the style that made The Decemberists the great, unique band that they are.The album begins slowly, with the haunting acoustic ballad turned full-speed solemn sing-along, "The Crane Wife, Pt. 3." The song is classic Decemberists, but accessible enough that you'll undoubtedly find yourself singing "I will hang my head, hang my head low" with Colin, even if it's only your first time listening to the song. It's a great lead-off track, and really builds the momentum that lasts through most of the album. That momentum runs head-on into "The Island," a three-part 12 1/2 minute epic that instantly captivating and enjoyable. "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)" is one of my favorite tracks on the album, as it features a beautiful duet between... Read more 48 of 56 people found the following review helpful The good "Wife", By This review is from: The Crane Wife (Audio CD) The Decemberists make that riskiest of leaps in "The Crane Wife" -- to a major label, away from Kill Rock Stars. Hopefully that will get this beloved indie band the attention they deserve.But a major label jump doesn't matter if the end product isn't good. And the Decemberists' fourth full-length album not only preserves their melodious sea-chanty sound, but it is also probably the best work this band has ever done, topping their previous album "Picaresque." From start to finish, this music is warm and enchantingly imaginative. "And under the boughs unbound/All clothed in a snowy shroud/She had no heart so hardened/All under the boughs unbound," Colin Meloy murmurs in the opening song. The wintry lyrics make a stark contrast to the strummy little tune, fleshed out with intermittent piano. It's catchy and melodious, but much in the way that their previous songs were. It's a good song, and a solid introduction to a string of similarly good songs, like... Read more 10 of 11 people found the following review helpful Album of the Year, By This review is from: The Crane Wife (Audio CD) The first thing that may strike you about the new Decemberists album is the shift in their sound, from a more folk-rock style to a definite prog-rock sound. They have always been an art-rock outfit, but on this CD they recall the heyday of Yes and early Genesis, complete with multi-part song suites, up-front organ solos, and the lot. It's rich and excellent stuff. Colin Meloy still loves to spin a dark tale with esoteric lyrics, but there is also a fair amount of musical brightness, including "O Valencia!" and "Summersong" (only Meloy can turn an ostensibly upbeat summer-at-the-beach tune and give it a morbid spin). There is also a sprightly duet with Laura Veirs, "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)". The centerpiece song, "The Crane Wife", is presented in three non-consecutive parts and is based on a Japanese folk tale, and is told with spare, haiku-like lyrics. Musically, it's a stunning work from beginning to end, an album that demands to be heard in its entirety. Those... Read more |
› See all 142 customer reviews...
No comments:
Post a Comment