Oliver :)
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2002
- Posts
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The Decemberists
The Hazards of Love
17 Tracks, 58:37
Got the CD yesterday. If you know The Decemberists, you already know what you're in for. You get the dramatic witty weird lyrics, the sometimes unusual instrumentation, the occasional detail overload. The band decided to add a hefty amount of rock to their business this time around. The trademark seashore shanty feeling is still present at times, yet it is accompanied by massive bass constructions and adventures in organ. I am under the impression that the band listend to a lot of classic rock lately. I also hear a little bit of The White Stripes, a hint of Kula Shaker, and also some more recent Tori Amos.
Soundwise, the album is not exactly a revelation but is also far from disappointment. As said already, the band brings the bass this time, so you better bring proper amplification. There are some very interesting spatial effects too and also some of those precious hypnotic Decemberists moments. I could spot no explicit faults in the recording yet, although at times things seem a little muffled and especially in the moments of instrumental overload I could not help to think that things get a little "crowded" (btw. iVolume took away 2,9dB when bringing the tracks down to an average 95dB) with even my fast STAX having trouble resolving it all. I wonder how this recording would fare on SACD and would be most interested in how it sounds on vinyl. In short, sound is well above average, though clearly more aimed to properly rock than to please picky audiophiliacs.
All in all very worthwhile.
The whole album is very listenable, yet if you want some track recommendations you could sample:
Prelude
The Hazards of Love 1
The Wanting Comes In Waves / Repaid
Annan Water
The Hazards of Love
17 Tracks, 58:37
Got the CD yesterday. If you know The Decemberists, you already know what you're in for. You get the dramatic witty weird lyrics, the sometimes unusual instrumentation, the occasional detail overload. The band decided to add a hefty amount of rock to their business this time around. The trademark seashore shanty feeling is still present at times, yet it is accompanied by massive bass constructions and adventures in organ. I am under the impression that the band listend to a lot of classic rock lately. I also hear a little bit of The White Stripes, a hint of Kula Shaker, and also some more recent Tori Amos.
Soundwise, the album is not exactly a revelation but is also far from disappointment. As said already, the band brings the bass this time, so you better bring proper amplification. There are some very interesting spatial effects too and also some of those precious hypnotic Decemberists moments. I could spot no explicit faults in the recording yet, although at times things seem a little muffled and especially in the moments of instrumental overload I could not help to think that things get a little "crowded" (btw. iVolume took away 2,9dB when bringing the tracks down to an average 95dB) with even my fast STAX having trouble resolving it all. I wonder how this recording would fare on SACD and would be most interested in how it sounds on vinyl. In short, sound is well above average, though clearly more aimed to properly rock than to please picky audiophiliacs.
All in all very worthwhile.
The whole album is very listenable, yet if you want some track recommendations you could sample:
Prelude
The Hazards of Love 1
The Wanting Comes In Waves / Repaid
Annan Water