The Crane Wife


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The Decemberists

Usually Ships: 4-10 Days
Normally: ~~$34.95~~
SmokeCDs Price: $27.95

Disc 1:
#	Track Name	MP3 Sample
1	The Crane Wife 3	MP3 sample

2	The Island-Come & See/The Landlord�s Daughter/You�ll Not Feel The Drowning	MP3 sample

3	Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)	MP3 sample

4	O Valencia!	MP3 sample

5	The Perfect Crime #2	MP3 sample

6	When The War Came	MP3 sample

7	Shankhill Butchers	MP3 sample

8	Summersong	MP3 sample

9	The Crane Wife 1 and 2	MP3 sample

10	Sons and Daughters	MP3 sample

Review Notes

Fourth album for this kooky indie-pop group from that hotbed of kooky indie-pop, Portland, Oregon. Known for his storytelling approach to songwriting, leader Colin Meloy has done anything but "play it safe" for his groups major label debut, The Crane Wife is based on an ancient Japanese children's story in which a man marries what he thinks is a woman, but in fact turns out to be a water-bird!
On paper, this concept (and let's face it this is a "concept album") could've gone down the pretentious road very quickly, but instead Meloy and co. manage to pull it off with great success - not only engaging you in this rather bizarre tale but also coming up with their strongest album to date.
It was always going to be interesting to see how this literature-savvy band made the transition from an independent label like Kill Rock Stars to a major like Capitol and many old fans feared a "dumbing down" of the groups music might occur. Almost the opposite has in fact happened. Not only does this shift to a major translate well, but with the production their new deal now affords, the band's lush and dramatic sound has been fully realised and has never sounded better.
The Crane Wife effortlessly switches from indie-folk to Celtic romp to Prog exploration and everywhere in between, sometimes - like in twelve and a half minute, three part epic 'The Island' - the within the same song! With Meloy's narrative lyrical style and flair for the dramatic, our very own Don McGlashan comes to mind but for more accurate similarities - fans of the Shins, Arcade Fire, Belle & Sebastian and especially Sufjan Stevens will lap this album up. The Crane Wife is a unique slice of indie melodrama and is Highly Recommended. (smokecds.com)

Product Details

Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Crane Wife
Cat #: 3729082
Date: 26/01/2007
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Label: Capitol
Usually Ships: 4-10 Days
Genres: Alt/Indie/Punk , Pop
Normally: ~~$34.95~~
SmokeCDs Price: $27.95