What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World

     I can tell you the exact moment my opinion of Colin Meloy began to change...his cameo in Bob Mould's "I Don't Know You Anymore" video. Up to that point , I just considered him an insufferably pretentious singer who tried way too hard and took himself way too seriously. In 2006, my place of employment chose The Decemberists' album, The Crane Wife, as an in-store play and I couldn't stand it. Ordinarily, music that's literate and pretentious and arcane is right in my wheelhouse. However, there was something about Colin Meloy's voice and delivery that I just couldn't get past. The first time I watched the "I Don't Know You Anymore" video and Meloy entered the scene, I believe I audibly groaned and almost turned it off. I decided to tough it out because I wanted to hear the new Bob Mould song. Meloy's performance was a hilarious send-up of himself. He makes fun of Bob's flip phone and gives him advice as a indie rock "veteran".

     Now, fast forward to 2015. My employer chose The Decemberists' album, What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World for an in-store play. I still wasn't a Decemberists fan, but Colin Meloy had earned some good will with me. After a few listens, I had to admit that I was enjoying it. Sure, it still sounded pastoral at times and Meloy still employed words from the 18th Century SAT test, but it also had some great songwriting and guitar work. I decided to take a flyer and buy the LP and it's breathtaking on vinyl.
     Ironically for me, the fantastic opening track, "The Singer Addresses His Audience", is aimed at old fans of The Decemberists. He's explaining to them that he knows they don't want the band to change, but they have to change...some. The lyrics on the second verse are great: "We're aware that you cut your hair in the style that our drummer wore in the video/ but with fame came a mounting claim for evermore. You know. So when your bridal processional is a televised confessional to the benefits of Axe Shampoo, you know we did it for you. We did it all for you".
     The formatting of the LP is interesting. It's a 2 LP package, but there are only three sides. The fourth side has some stars and comets and an all seeing eye etched on it. My favorite song is "Mistral". The first line is "So we already wrecked the rental car and I've already lost my way". I was trying to imagine what Colin Meloy would consider as wrecking a rental car. Maybe he spilled some of his Caramel Machiato on the passenger seat. Anyhow, it features a catchy chorus, some great background vocals and exceptional band play. My one gripe with The Decemberists is that drummer John Moen is woefully underutilized. I know for a fact from his work in side projects like Boston Spaceships and Eyelids that he's a really good rock drummer. He does manage to get loud on the album's closing track, "A Beginning Song". It's probably my second favorite song and closes out with a bombastic flourish reminiscent of Neutral Milk Hotel. I highly recommend What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World, especially on LP. I might even go back and give some of their old albums a listen, except The Crane Wife. Peace.