The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love review
March 24th, 2009 finally came and with it Portland, Oregon’s The Decemberists released their fifth full length album entitled The Hazards of Love. The album was released a week earlier on iTunes and is their second full-length album on Capital Records after 2006’s The Crane Wife. The Hazards of Love is a rock opera tale of a woman named Margaret, her lover William, an evil forest queen and an immoral rake. As if you all didn’t see this one coming…
A while back singer/songwriter, Colin Meloy, acquired a copy of folk vocalist Anne Briggs’s 1966 EP, titled The Hazards of Love and thought he’d write a song of the same title. What came out of it was this 17 track album that demands your attention with narrative both deep and dark, filled with many moments of heavy wailing behind Meloy’s nasally croon. It’s a highly ambitious piece of work to say the least, especially considering The Decemberists’ move to a major label before the release of The Crane Wife.
The plot gets started with track #2, “The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” setting the main recurring theme (both lyrically and musically). From there it bounces over high peaks and through deep valleys oftentimes showcasing a more progressive and hard-rocking side of The Decemberists than their previous efforts ever displayed. Song #4, “Won’t Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga)”, is beautifully sung by Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark. “The Wanting Comes In Waves / Repaid” is track #8 and is a standout of the album if there are any. The back and forth conversation of William as sung by Colin Meloy, and the Queen as sung by My Brightest Diamond’s, Shara Worden, works terrifically as the music ebbs and flows in support. Guitarist, Chris Funk, displays some real chops on this one.
Shara Worden is back as the Queen for track #12 titled, “The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing”. Once again behind the Queen’s howl the music is heavy and filled with wonderful organ stylings by Jenny Conlee that blends into the muff-heavy sound of Chris Funk. #13 is “Annan Water” and sounds like The Decemberists have been known to sound with Meloy’s strumming acoustic guitar balancing his vocals. Track #15 brings back “The Hazards of Love” for the third time, and this time sung by children. The song swings in 6/4 and is a nice addition to the album. It works directly into “The Wanting Comes In Waves” (Reprise) which grinds to dust leaving the finale “The Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)” in its wake with Meloy ending the record in a beautiful lullaby in front of a warm and ringing lap-steel guitar.
The Hazards of Love is a challenge that requires time to appreciate and will undoubtedly cause many to groan. Colin Meloy and gang have something to be proud of here though, as it’s obvious their musical compositions are growing greatly along with their distinctive sound and The Hazards of Love is a true work of art. It’s no easy chore working through this album that at times can be overwhelming but in the end many should find it is worth the endeavor. Taken from beginning to end, The Hazards of Love is something special and unique that real music fans should be thankful for in a time when records like these are rarely fashioned. And to all of those sniffling indie kids who were worried The Decemberists would sell-out with some major-label success behind them, put on your headphones and rest your weary eyes as these hazards of love never more will trouble us.
- “Prelude” – 3:04
- “The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” – 4:19
- “A Bower Scene” – 2:09
- “Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)” – 4:07
- “The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)” – 4:26
- “The Queen’s Approach” – 0:29
- “Isn’t It a Lovely Night?” – 3:39
- “The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid” – 6:27
- “An Interlude” – 1:40
- “The Rake’s Song” – 3:16
- “The Abduction of Margaret” – 2:07
- “The Queen’s Rebuke/The Crossing” – 3:56
- “Annan Water” – 5:12
- “Margaret in Captivity” – 3:08
- “The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)” – 3:22
- “The Wanting Comes in Waves (Reprise)” – 1:31
- “The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)” – 5:57
