Just yesterday The Decemberists' latest leaked to various torrent sites, so naturally I snatched a copy up. I've only gotten through one full listen, but my first impressions seem to be of a departure from the lively sunniness of Picaresque. Quite honestly, much of the album is downright dark and despairing in comparison. The sprawling second track, "The Island" is much akin to the progginess of The Tain, and the driving "When The War Came" is Meloy's departure from the satirization of the current administration inherent in "Sixteen Military Wives" to abandonment of all hope for a semi-positive outcome.Meloy and co. seem reserved, even resigned. Despite their prog efforts and even heavy riffs sprinkled throughout, the overall feel of the LP reflects the album cover's couple, solemn and forlorn. Not as immediate as Picaresque, but exponentially more lush and complex. Will definitely prove a gem upon repeated listens.
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