Disco de The Decemberists: “Five Songs EP”

I view the Decemberists as something like fine wine - an acquired taste, but they get better with time. In 5 SONGS, which actually consists of six, Colin Meloy's uniquely wonderful vocals, masterful storytelling and intimidating vocabulary come to a head - and combined with accordionistas, violinists, and your standard guitar/percussion/bass, you'd be hardpressed to find indie folk rock that sounded fresher or more exciting than this.

The songs themselves are six different stories in the ever-eclectic yarn of the Decemberists, with subjects ranging from World War II love stories ("My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist") to a heartfelt apology for losing a friend's bicycle ("Apology Song"). The wavering accordion-playing and acoustic guitar-strumming skates on impressive rhyme schemes stitched together with words like "provincial" and "ubiquitous," which make 5 SONGS, and indeed each successive Decemberists album, seem like a nineteenth century British novel. But who says there's anything wrong with that?

Whether you're a fan of altrock, folk rock, or indie in general, and if you're ready for something new and inimitably unique, I suggest you start here - and keep going.

If you are someone who likes the Decemberists, as I am, then you will find a lot to love in this little EP. Songs like "oceanside" and "angel, won't you call me" are reminiscent of some of the more upbeat songs on castaways and cutouts. Which means that they are fantastic, and the other songs are great too. The Decemberists is a band that I am excited about. With only a few albums under their belt, I hope I get to see them develop more and more. If the last few albums are any indication, then these guys will do just fine in the indie rock world.

As for those people who have never heard them before, they are an odd band, utilizing many great instruments that one doesn't expect to hear in rock music that much these days, such as the accordion. The lead singer's voice is remeniscent of Jeff Mangum of neutral milk hotel, but a little cleaner, and more polished. The music could be compared to people like Badly Drawn Boy, or any other indie musician with strong pop sensibilities. Anyway, if you like acoustic-driven indie music, you'll love this.

This is a fun EP and a great introduction to The Decemberists if you are unfamiliar with their music. All songs are strong here with the possible exception of the rather whimsical 'Apology Song'. The rest are really excellent, particularly 'Angel Won't You Call Me' and 'My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist'. This is an impressive group whose music is oddly satisfying - 5 Songs is a top class EP which leaves me wanting more.

Don't ask me why the Decemberists' "5 Songs" actually has six songs on it, because I really do not know. Their indiepop-folk tunes are pleasant as always on this E. It serves as a good companion to their first two albums, but their style is a bit too twee and quiet.

It opens with the airy "Oceanside," another song that hints at the rambling old towns and seashores that Decemberist songs are full of. That feeling sticks on through the EP, with the fast strums of "Shiny," the whimsical air of "My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist," and the downbeat ballad "I Don't Mind." The only one that lacks the whimsy is the boring "Apology Song," where frontman Colin Meloy apologizes to a childhood pal for the loss of a bike.

Every song on here is essentially folky and balladic, with Meloy's sea-shanty singing over mostly acoustic instrumentation. Admittedly it gets a bit monotonous musically, but the Decemberists had clearly grown in their literate songwriting by this point.

Meloy's is not quite the voice of an angel; it's a bit too nasal and flat for that. But it is admittedly charming when he sings about the sea and boyhood bike thefts. Musically, the songs are pleasant to the ear. But they are similar in style, which gets a bit monotonous, with the acoustic guitar is backed by steel guitarist Chris Funk and some mellow drums, as well as a slew of muted oddball instruments.

The songwriting is pretty uneven here -- while the writing of "Apology Song" is simplistic and a bit dull, "My Mother Was A Chinese Trapeze Artist" is absurdly whimsical and charming, the tale of a kid born to "a Chinese trapeze artist/In pre-war Paris/Smuggling bombs for the underground," who is born in a brothel and gambled away to (what else?) a brigadier on a ship.

The "5 Songs" EP is a charming bit of folk-pop, but it lacks substance in some songs. A pretty listen -- just skip the "Apology Song."

I love both of the Decemberists albums so I thought I'd check this out. I wasn't disapointed, at all. Once you own Castaways & Cutouts and Her Majesty don't hesitate to pick this up. Good stuff.