Hazards of Love
Since yesterday my life is enriched with a copy of The Hazards Of Love, the new album by uber-indie rock band The Decemberists. Enriched, because it’s such small works of sheer beauty that make it all worth wile. Started as a stage play, it turned into a mini rock opera, complete with guest vocals portraying different characters and telling a story of love, death and betrayal.
We already know of Mr. Meloy’s et al love for telling a good story from previous albums, but this album brings us to an entirely different level of ambition. (Notwithstanding the band’s prior experiment with concept albums on the little known 2003 EP The Tain.)
The album starts with a modest crescendo of a Hammond organ, to introduce us to the archaic, pastoral world of William and Margaret. The two lovers are granted a single night of love by the wicked Queen on the condition that they should die the following morning. Then there is the ruthless Rake, who previously saw no trouble in killing his own three children, but gets haunted by them when he rapes Margaret.
The songs are less heavy on the ears then some found on The Crane Wife, and have a more folk rock origin, Mr. Meloy citing influences from British 1960’s folk song artis Anne Briggs. Not having an iPod or other type of portable music device, I laugh in the face of those who have to rip their music before they can enjoy it. Turn off your shuffle, kids, and listen.
