The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

There are some CDs that you just know what you’ll get, be it because you know the band or label or just based on the name and artwork; whatever it is, you know what the album in front of you will sound like (approximately anyway). Then there are the other ones that you really have no idea what they’ll sound like. They’re a surprise, a hidden gem waiting to be unwrapped. Will it be good or will it be painful? Know one knows, but that sense of the unknown is also unnaturally addicting and intriguing. It builds in anticipation and suspense until you finally hear it, and when a friend randomly suggests the disc to you just a day before you see it, the sense of curiosity is augmented even more. The Decemberists took that curiosity and anticipation and just rode with it; and The Crane Wife never stops building on the anticipation.

Despite the fact that the opening track is by far the most memorable, the album continually builds up on itself and within itself before closing with the second best track of the album. The entire structure of the album is most definitely based around Colin Meloy’s soothing and slightly off-key voice. A voice rooted in folk, Meloy delivers the lyrics in a memorable and emotional fashion without ever overstressing anything. He keeps a constant rhythm and speed, letting the music take control and pushing the emotion forward before rejoining right where he left off. He definitely takes a few pages from Ben Gibbard’s book as he croons over the soothing melodies in the background just like Gibbard does with Death Cab For Cutie; and like Death Cab, the vocals work to entice and mesmerize the listener.

Further mesmerizing the listener, The Decemberists combing layers of unconventional instruments to help lead the songs in and out of one another. While it’s nothing like The Pogues using beer trays, The Decemberists focus on more traditional instruments. The upright bass, banjo, hammond organ, accordion, moog and even a glockenspiel are just a few of the various instruments used to help promote the folk-pop feel of The Crane Wife. It creates a wide, spacious sound that is very homely at the same time, as if it’s just a group of friends and family members sitting around playing instruments and singing stories to each other – and there are some great stories found within The Crane Wife. The Island is an eleven minute opus with three songs built within it’s body. The Shankill Butchers tells the haunting stories of the group by the same name. O Valencia! is a new take on the famed Romeo & Juliet cross-lovers tale and then the basis of the album, The Crane Wife (parts 1,2 and 3) are based on an old Japanese folk tale.

The Crane Wife simply builds on the anticipation of the unknown. It’s not fast or pounding or heavy in anyway. Instead it’s slow, laid back, emotional and strangely familiar. It’s builds on itself and progresses nicely, creating for a wide music landscape for you to dive into, listen to, and enjoy. Definite must have for Death Cab fans.