The DecemberistsBest The Decemberists Albums Ranked

The Crane Wife

pitchfork

8.4

“Colin Meloy's theatrical and hyperliterate band makes an unexpected move to Capitol Records, and delivers a record that matches the ambition of its new imprint.”

Picaresque

pitchfork

8.3

“The Decemberists may have built their rep on historical backdrops and quaint theatricality, but their third full-length trades much of that in for more ambitious narratives and dynamic playing. Picaresque captures the band in peak form, packing in exotic instrumentation that creates a lush and evocative backdrop to Colin Meloy's story-songs, which here are more colorful-- and more topical-- than ever.”

Her Majesty the Decemberists

pitchfork

8.2

“There's a crash and a scream, and the groaning sound of a warship come to rape the harbor: That's right, The Decemberists have another song about pirates. "Tell your daughters do not walk the streets alone tonight!" cries Colin Meloy with nasal urgency, and the band gives it more drama than ever before, lunging into an aesthetic that's half Dickens, half 1950s adventure comic book. You can almost ”

Castaways and Cutouts

pitchfork

8.1

“If Jeff Mangum had never been born, Colin Meloy could have assumed Jeff Mangum's current status as indie rock's consummate pop songwriter freak. Which, of course, would mean some other wild-eyed kid from Montana would have had to be Colin Meloy. The Real Meloy, in this *Trading Places*-themed *Twilight Zone*, would have filled in for Mangum's nasal warble and given the world the sweet gift of *In ”

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

pastemagazine

8.0

“The Portland band’s ninth album features Colin Meloy’s sharpest songwriting in more than a decade.”

The King Is Dead

rollingstone

8.0

“Click to listen to The Decemberists’ "Down By the Water" When a 12-and-a-half-minute murder ballad ("The Island," from 2006’s The Crane Wife) stands as one of your more concise career high points, it’s probably time to consider reining things in. That’s just what the Decemberists — the Portland, Oregon, band known for its complex story-songs […]”

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again

birdorcages

9.8

“This early 2000’s indie band has only gotten better with age. From the impeccable lyricism from frontman Colin Meloy, to the musical genius of the likes of Conlee, Funk, Query, and Moen - this fresh album still stands out strong in their discography. They’ve settled easy into their impeccable prog rock sound, and there’s a little bit of love for every album that has come before it on this record.”