Artist | Decemberists

Grade | B+

What Zach Gase thinks:

The Portland, Ore.-based The Decemberists started recording for their sixth studio effort in the spring of 2010 in a barn on an 8-acre farm. This odd methodology of recording in rural surroundings, as opposed to a recording studio, has a major influence on the sound of “The King is Dead.”

The Decemberists’ latest offering is deeply rooted in a country-folk, Americana sound. Unlike previous albums such as “The Hazards of Love” and “The Crane Wife,” there is no narrative or concept to “The King is Dead.”

While there aren’t many stand out moments lyrically on the record, The Decemberists make up for it with Colin Meloy’s relaxed vocals over lush instrumentals made up of a cornucopia of instruments including accordions, harmonicas, up-right bass, among others.

Lead-single, “Down By the Water” is a phenomenal track that has a heavy Bruce Springsteen influence. It features excellent harmony vocals from Gillian Welch, and is one of the three tracks on the album that features R.E.M. axe man, Peter Buck who plays a 12-stringer on the song.

“Rox in the Box” is another standout track that has one of Meloy’s best melodies on the album, and the track also features an awesome accordion solo.

“The King is Dead” runs at about 40 minutes over a span of 10 tracks. It is a lean album with few skippable moments.

The album’s slower tracks such as the album-closer, “Dear Avery” and “January Hymn” are perfect winter songs, and sound like they were made for walking through the treacherous Bowling Green winds, or staring out of a window longing for warmer times.

While “The King is Dead” may not be as thoughtful or even as creative as the band’s previous efforts, musically the album is among their bests. The Decemberists have brought us the first great album of 2011.