The King Is Dead The Hazards of Love , an overreaching 2009 rock opera, exposed a band in dire need of a fresh start. The Decemberists redeem themselves with…
Music Review

The King Is Dead

Reviewed by Simon Vozick-Levinson | Jan 12, 2011
The Decemberists
The Hazards of Love, an overreaching 2009 rock opera, exposed a band in dire need of a fresh start. The Decemberists redeem themselves with their sixth LP, The King Is Dead, a 40-minute set that’s more succinctly rewarding than anything they’ve done in years. Partial credit belongs to two guests: Gillian Welch adds aching harmonies throughout, while R.E.M.’s Peter Buck helps three tracks reach a marriage of twang and jangle worthy of his main crew’s mid-’80s classics. A–

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Originally posted Jan 12, 2011 Published in issue #1138 Jan 21, 2011 Order article reprints