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This Complete List Of The Decemberists Albums And Songs presents the full discography of The Decemberists studio albums. The band was first formed in 2000. The group hails from the area of Portland, Oregon. All these spectacular albums have been presented below in chronological order. We have also included all original release dates with each album as well as all original album covers. Every album by The Decemberists listed below showcases the entire album tracklisting.
THE DECEMBERISTS STUDIO ALBUMS
Castaways and Cutouts
Released May 21, 2002
The Decemberists’ debut album, Castaways and Cutouts, introduced their distinctive style characterized by intricate storytelling and a blend of folk and indie rock. Released initially on Hush Records and later re-released by Kill Rock Stars, this album was the beginning of the band’s journey in carving out a unique niche in the music world.
The album was primarily recorded at a home studio in Portland, Oregon, and produced by The Decemberists themselves, along with contributions from Larry Crane. Frontman Colin Meloy’s narrative lyricism combined with the band’s melodic instrumentation created a whimsical and sometimes haunting atmosphere. Members include Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (keyboards), Nate Query (bass), and John Moen (drums).
CD Track Listings:
- “Leslie Anne Levine” – 4:12
- “Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect” – 4:29
- “July, July!” – 3:24
- “A Cautionary Song” – 3:08
- “Odalisque” – 5:20
- “Cocoon” – 6:48
- “Grace Cathedral Hill” – 4:28
- “The Legionnaire’s Lament” – 4:44
- “Clementine” – 4:07
- “California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade” – 11:46
Her Majesty The Decemberists
Released September 9, 2003
Her Majesty The Decemberists, released in 2003, saw the band delving deeper into their unique blend of indie folk and baroque pop. Produced by Larry Crane and released by Kill Rock Stars, this album was recorded in Portland, Oregon.
The album continued to showcase Colin Meloy’s storytelling prowess, with songs that ranged from whimsical to melancholic. The band’s lineup remained consistent, with each member contributing to the rich, multi-layered soundscapes that characterized the album. Her Majesty The Decemberists was critically acclaimed for its imaginative narratives and musical arrangements.
CD Track Listings:
- “Shanty for the Arethusa” – 5:37
- “Billy Liar” – 4:08
- “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” – 4:17
- “The Gymnast, High Above the Ground” – 7:13
- “The Bachelor and the Bride” – 4:12
- “Song for Myla Goldberg” – 3:33
- “The Soldiering Life” – 3:45
- “Red Right Ankle” – 3:30
- “The Chimbley Sweep” – 2:53
- “I Was Meant for the Stage” – 7:02
- “As I Rise” – 2:09
Picaresque
Released March 22, 2005
With Picaresque, released in 2005, The Decemberists continued to develop their distinctive style, fusing elaborate storytelling with eclectic musical influences. The album, produced by Chris Walla and released by Kill Rock Stars, was recorded at The Prescott Church in Portland, Oregon.
Picaresque marked a high point in the band’s career, both critically and commercially. It showcased a maturation of their sound and narrative scope, featuring songs that were both grandiose and intimately detailed. The band members, led by Meloy, crafted an album that was diverse in its themes and rich in its musicality.
CD Track Listings:
- “The Infanta” – 5:07
- “We Both Go Down Together” – 3:04
- “Eli, the Barrow Boy” – 3:11
- “The Sporting Life” – 4:38
- “The Bagman’s Gambit” – 7:03
- “From My Own True Love (Lost at Sea)” – 3:42
- “16 Military Wives” – 4:53
- “The Engine Driver” – 4:15
- “On the Bus Mall” – 6:04
- “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” – 8:47
- “Of Angels and Angles” – 2:27
The Crane Wife
Released October 3, 2006
The Crane Wife, The Decemberists’ fourth studio album, released in 2006, was their first on a major label (Capitol Records) and was produced by Tucker Martine and Chris Walla. The album, recorded at The Hall of Justice in Seattle, Washington, saw the band exploring more ambitious and expansive musical territory.
Inspired by a Japanese folk tale, The Crane Wife was a critical and commercial success, known for its fusion of progressive rock elements with the band’s signature folk sound. The album’s narrative depth and musical experimentation marked a significant step forward in The Decemberists’ artistic evolution.
CD Track Listings:
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- “The Crane Wife 3” – 4:18
- “The Island” – 12:26
- “Come and See”
- “The Landlord’s Daughter”
- “You’ll Not Feel the Drowning”
- “Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)” – 4:19
- “O Valencia!” – 3:47
- “The Perfect Crime #2” – 5:32
- “When the War Came” – 5:05
- “Shankill Butchers” – 4:39
- “Summersong” – 3:28
- “The Crane Wife 1 & 2” – 11:21
- “Sons and Daughters” – 5:13
The Hazards of Love
Released March 24, 2009
In 2009, The Decemberists released The Hazards of Love, a concept album that represented a significant departure from their previous work. Produced by Tucker Martine and recorded at The Flora Recording & Playback in Portland, Oregon, this ambitious project was a rock opera featuring a continuous narrative throughout its tracks.
The album weaves a complex story involving love, transformation, and betrayal, set against a backdrop of folk and progressive rock. The band, with Colin Meloy’s intricate songwriting, created a theatrical and cohesive piece of art. The album featured guest vocalists, including Becky Stark and Shara Nova, adding to its dynamic and diverse sound.
CD Track Listings:
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- “Prelude” – 3:04
- “The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” – 4:18
- “A Bower Scene” – 2:08
- “Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)” – 4:06
- “The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)” – 4:25
- “The Queen’s Approach” – 0:29
- “Isn’t It a Lovely Night?” – 3:38
- “The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid” – 6:26
- “An Interlude” – 1:40
- “The Rake’s Song” – 3:15
- “The Abduction of Margaret” – 2:06
- “The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing” – 3:56
- “Annan Water” – 5:11
- “Margaret in Captivity” – 3:07
- “The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)” – 3:21
- “The Wanting Comes in Waves (Reprise)” – 1:30
- “The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)” – 5:57
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The King Is Dead
Released January 14, 2011
The King Is Dead, released in 2011, marked a return to a more straightforward folk and Americana style for The Decemberists. This album, produced by Tucker Martine and recorded at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, was a stark contrast to the complexity of their previous album.
Featuring guest appearances by Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Gillian Welch, the album’s sound was rooted in traditional American folk music, with a focus on accessible, melodic songwriting. The King Is Dead was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and received widespread critical acclaim.
CD Track Listings:
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- “Don’t Carry It All” – 4:16
- “Calamity Song” – 3:50
- “Rise to Me” – 4:59
- “Rox in the Box” – 3:07
- “January Hymn” – 3:12
- “Down by the Water” – 3:41
- “All Arise!” – 3:09
- “June Hymn” – 3:57
- “This Is Why We Fight” – 5:30
- “Dear Avery” – 4:50
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What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
Released January 20, 2015
In 2015, The Decemberists released What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. This album, recorded at Flora Recording & Playback in Portland and produced by Tucker Martine, showcased a band more comfortable in experimenting within the indie folk genre.
The album featured a range of songs, from upbeat and whimsical to introspective and tender. The band, sticking to their signature style of storytelling and melodic compositions, created an album that reflected on their musical journey and the complexities of the world around them.
CD Track Listings:
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- “The Singer Addresses His Audience” – 4:42
- “Cavalry Captain” – 3:17
- “Philomena” – 3:04
- “Make You Better” – 5:08
- “Lake Song” – 5:52
- “Till the Water’s All Long Gone” – 5:01
- “The Wrong Year” – 3:53
- “Carolina Low” – 3:24
- “Better Not Wake the Baby” – 1:44
- “Anti-Summersong” – 2:12
- “Easy Come, Easy Go” – 2:22
- “Mistral” – 3:54
- “12/17/12” – 3:03
- “A Beginning Song” – 5:22
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I’ll Be Your Girl
Released March 16, 2018
I’ll Be Your Girl, The Decemberists’ 2018 album, saw the band venturing into new sonic territories, incorporating elements of new wave and synth-pop. Produced by John Congleton and recorded in Portland, Oregon, the album showcased a willingness to experiment and push their sound in new directions.
This album was noted for its thematic diversity and lyrical depth, addressing topics from personal introspection to socio-political commentary. I’ll Be Your Girl was well-received for its bold experimentation and showcased The Decemberists’ ability to evolve while maintaining their core identity.
CD Track Listings:
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- “Once in My Life” – 5:09
- “Cutting Stone” – 3:20
- “Severed” – 4:03
- “Starwatcher” – 2:39
- “Tripping Along” – 3:01
- “Your Ghost” – 2:40
- “Everything Is Awful” – 3:22
- “Sucker’s Prayer” – 3:28
- “We All Die Young” – 4:01
- “Rusalka, Rusalka / Wild Rushes” – 8:15
- “I’ll Be Your Girl” – 2:36
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The Queen of Hearts (with Olivia Chaney as Offa Rex)
Released July 14, 2017
The Queen of Hearts, a collaborative album by The Decemberists and English singer Olivia Chaney under the name Offa Rex, was released in 2017. This project was a foray into British folk music, reinterpreting traditional folk songs with a contemporary twist.
Produced by Tucker Martine and recorded in Portland, Oregon, the album was a departure from The Decemberists’ usual sound, focusing on a more traditional folk style, combining Chaney’s ethereal vocals with the band’s musical backing. The Queen of Hearts was praised for its authenticity and respectful handling of the folk tradition.
CD Track Listings:
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- “The Queen of Hearts” – 3:56
- “Blackleg Miner” – 2:22
- “The Gardener” – 4:59
- “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” – 3:31
- “Flash Company” – 4:15
- “The Old Churchyard” – 4:07
- “Constant Billy (Oddington) / I’ll Go Enlist (Sherborne)” – 1:56
- “Willie o’ Winsbury” – 7:30
- “Bonny May” – 6:32
- “Sheepcrook and Black Dog” – 4:35
- “To Make You Stay” – 5:02
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I’ll Be Your Girl
Released March 16, 2018
I’ll Be Your Girl, released in 2018, marked a notable shift in The Decemberists’ musical approach. This album saw the band embracing new wave and synth-pop influences, a departure from their traditional folk-rock sound. Produced by John Congleton and recorded in Portland, Oregon, the album represents a band willing to experiment and push the boundaries of their established sound.
The album features Colin Meloy (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (keyboards), Nate Query (bass), and John Moen (drums). I’ll Be Your Girl explores themes ranging from personal introspection to socio-political commentary, wrapped in a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly new for the band. The album was generally well-received, with critics praising its bold experimentation and thematic diversity.
CD Track Listings:
- “Once in My Life” – 5:09
- “Cutting Stone” – 3:20
- “Severed” – 4:03
- “Starwatcher” – 2:39
- “Tripping Along” – 3:01
- “Your Ghost” – 2:40
- “Everything Is Awful” – 3:22
- “Sucker’s Prayer” – 3:28
- “We All Die Young” – 4:01
- “Rusalka, Rusalka / Wild Rushes” – 8:15
- “I’ll Be Your Girl” – 2:36
Complete List Of The Decemberists Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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