SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DECEMBERISTS – AS IT EVER WAS, SO IT WILL BE AGAIN

THE DECEMBERISTS
AS IT EVER WAS, SO IT WILL BE AGAIN
YABB RECORDS/THIRTY TIGERS

It’s been six years since the seasoned veterans, The Decemberist, graced us with an album. The long-awaited project, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, will be available on June 14. The new work from the Portland-based band is erupting with a new theatrical and experimental sound, while staying true to their roots of folk and alternative rock. The stories they tell in the album will transcend you through musical eras and genres. The band cleverly chose four songs as their singles, each with a distinct identity. These songs perfectly summarize the essence of the album while taking the listener through a musical journey that is not just the stages of grief, but grief as an active part of one’s life.

“Burial Ground” opens the album with a charming and upbeat musicality, but the contrasting lyrics of visiting the grave of a loved one gives the listener a hopeful sense of rebirth.

This album will take you through the tribulation of watching the world change around you. The listener will experience the highs and the lows of relearning how to live life after a loss. “The Black Maria” is a delicate song depicting the confusion and anger that comes with grief. Conversely, “Born in the Morning” is a symbol of defiant joy in the face of adversity.

The lyricism of this album provides an intricate balance of melancholy, hope, nostalgia, and introspection fed by the smooth voice of Colin Meloy. The Decemberists prove themselves to be masters of their craft with the array of string, brass, and percussion instruments. The orchestral sound perfectly conveys the feeling of being the main character in the movie of your life.

The astounding 19-min and 20-sec long, “Joan in the Garden” will take you through an immersive experience comparable to a black box theatre or art exhibition. The song is almost unforgiving, as it continues to change and develop before the listener has a chance to process it all – much like autumn, as the leaves fall and the air changes before you got to take that summer vacation you wanted. This song is the finale of the album and with that comes a feeling of acceptance of the new life ahead.

The Decemberists have encapsulated a true human experience with As It Was, So It Will Be Again. This album is a dynamic representation of life’s coexisting hardships and whimsy. This album could be difficult to digest for some, but poignant for all.

Artist Links