Are the Decemberists Overrated?
- Are the Decemberists Overrated?
- The Decemberists: The Final Verdict
Oh yeah. I went there.
Dare I question the darlings of indie rock, that quirky yet mesmerizing group from Portland called the Decemberists? Despite loud accolades from such publications as Paste Magazine and recommendations from many of my friends with musical taste, I have yet to become enamored with this band.
According to Wikipedia, I should: Their style ranges “from upbeat pop to instrumentally lush ballads, and [they] often employ instruments like the accordion, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer organ, and upright bass.” That’s right up my alley. But the few cuts I’ve heard have been strange at best. And a recent live appearance on TV left me perplexed by their bizarre arrangements and theatrical displays.
I will be the first to admit, though, that I have not given them a chance. And granted, the group is not lying awake at night wondering why I don’t like them. My taste is pretty limited in scope.
I will try to broaden my horizons before making such a snap judgment. So, as I tried several months before with Joy Division, I will immerse myself in the Decemberists’ music and either learn to like them or at least find out why their music is so appealing to some. I’ll listen to their major releases, report back on my progress, and then give a final verdict. Let’s hope it turns out better than the Joy Division project.
Their good stuff is so great that it makes up for a lot of their… um… less good stuff! 🙂
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the “indie” label, not the record label, but you know. There’s a fair bit there that actually (IMHO) enjoys being unlistenable or at least hard to get into. Fans that enjoy being the only ones who “get” them. Kinda like “Donnie Darko”.
They’re pretty much a one-trick pony; if you like one song off their first three albums (KRS, pre-major label) you’ll like the rest. Only downside is once the initial novelty wears off the easy melody/bizarre lyrics formula starts to go stale real fast – so…the opposite of a grower. Also, Joy Division is the worst ‘great’ band I’ve ever heard. I’ve spent close to a year on them only to be disappointed time and again. There’s exactly one good song (Disorder) on Unknown Pleasures, Closure is just as worthless, and the best thing they’ve done (Ceremony) isn’t even on either of their LPs. What a double edged sword that suicide turned out to be.