Her Majesty The Decemberists by The Decemberists - Uhune

ALBUM

On Her Majesty, the Decemberists' follow-up to their excellent debut, Castaways and Cutouts, the group cements its reputation as a seafaring Belle & Sebastian or a more grounded Neutral Milk Hotel. Tying together sweet symphonic pop with a ragtag theatricality, this album is more ambitious and more scattered than Castaways and Cutouts, making it an initially less accessible and more difficult listen. However, many of Her Majesty's most indulgent moments are among its best, including the high drama of the album opener, "Shanty for the Aretheusa," an epic that runs with the dark beauty that haunted the corners of the Decemberists' debut and gives it a wild, rambling edge. Likewise, "The Gymnast, High Above the Ground" also displays the band's expertise at creating subtle but palpable drama and swooning romanticism with just a few musical brush strokes. The wonderfully named "I Was Meant for the Stage," a triumphantly bittersweet song for the inner drama queen in everyone, shows off Colin Meloy's uniquely expressive voice: at one moment he's lispingly fey; the next, he's sneering self-deprecatingly. These beautiful, challenging songs make the band's occasional dips into treacle, such as the cloying "Billy Liar," forgivable, but what makes Her Majesty such a solid album is the consistent quality of the songs pitched between its high and low points. "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" flirts with soft rock, coming across as a latter-day single from Al Stewart; "Your Red Right Ankle" is an intimately and creatively detailed love song; and "Song for Myla Goldberg" has a sunny, winning appeal. Even though Her Majesty isn't quite as striking and full-formed as Castaways and Cutouts, it's still a consistently charming album that finds the band coming into its own. ~ Heather Phares

1. Shanty for the Arethusa

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

2. Billy Liar

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

3. Los Angeles, I'm Yours

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

4. The Gymnast, High Above the Ground

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

5. The Bachelor and the Bride

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

6. Song for Myla Goldberg

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

7. The Soldiering Life

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

8. Red Right Ankle

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

9. The Chimbley Sweep

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

10. I Was Meant For the Stage

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

11. As I Rise

by The Decemberists

Primary Artist: The Decemberists; Main Performer
Composer: The Decemberists; Composer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

48 minutes and 26 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1420x1420 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

9/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Indie, Alternative, Indie Rock

Label

Kill Rock Stars

Music Distribution Service

Redeye Inc.

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 8, 2003

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

759656037525