The Decemeberists - The Hazards of Love - Music Worth Buying 10/12/09

Artist: The Decemberists
Album: The Hazards of Love
Worth Buying: It should be a classic.

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Classic concepts albums like Dark Side of the Moon, and Thick as a Brick.

Tell me more: This is my first album by The Decemberists. I have not listened to any of their previous albums. I bring this up, because I understand that some of their longs time fans are bit put off by this album. Apparently because the band moved beyond from what many describe as a kind've Celtic Folk rock sound in order to record this epic concept album of star crossed love.

Some artists stay within their genre album after album and do a great job of it. Some feel the need to musically morph. When an artist with an established fanbase, and an established sound does this, it can turn off some fans and delight others. But I have no preconceived notions about what a Decemberists album should sound like, so I listened to their latest "The Hazards of Love" with no preconceived notions.

I think that it was somewhere in the middle of  my 2nd listen through, that I
realized that this album can stand head and shoulders with classic rock concept albums like Dark Side of The Moon and Thick as a Brick........Yes, it's that good.

The albums story tells the tale of a mortal woman (Margaret), who falls in love with William, a magical shape shifter from an enchanted forest. But their love is threatened by William's jealous mother, the Queen of the forest.

Amazon.com described this as an album that demands repeated listening, with more to be gained from each said listening. And I couldn't agree more. If HOL had been released back in the heyday of FM rock radio, I think it would have gotten a lot of airplay and that by now it would be considered a classic. But it wasn't. It was released now. In an era where there is no airplay for this kind of an album. There is only the word of mouth. So that is what I will give this album. If you enjoy epic rock albums GET THIS ALBUM! ...........And don't illegally download it!!!! BUY IT and support these fine musicians so they can afford to live and make more music.

The Decemberists are now officially on my radar and I am now very interested too hear their previous releases. Are there any Decemberists fans that want to give me their recommendations?

TJR 10/12/09

What About the Packaging? Standard Jewel case format but with a nice lyrics booklet .

Mp3 version currently for 8.99

CD Format currently 10.99

On Vinyl

Music Worth Buying 12/01/08 Judas Priest

Artist: Judas Priest

Album: Nostradamus

Worth Buying: Yes the whole album

You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Metal, Hard Rock, Musical Theater, Progressive Rock and Musical Theater.

Tell me more: Sometimes what the world needs is big Heavy Metal Bands doing big concept albums.

 Judas Priest is one of those bands that I listened to for a while during my Heavy Metal phase (of course you never really do grow out of it now do you LOL). But it is also one of those bands that I stopped following after a while. This stops with their latest album “Nostradamus” a massive double CD concept album about the life of the 15th century seer.

 This is Operatic Metal. Or Metal as Musical Theater. As I listen to this album I can see the huge stage production with actors and larger than life set pieces. Guitarists K.K. Downing and Glen Tipton give plenty of crunching guitars but they take up synthesized guitars too to create broader musical scenery. Like any smart musicians they know that it can’t all be lightning fast rockers and that there has to be plenty of quiet moments to highlight the louder moments, and like I said, this is Musical Theater Metal so even strings are brought in to enhance this particular Priest odyssey.

 Is this  album overly pretentious or is it serious art? ....It depends on my mood. The musicianship is superb on this album (I am considered a blues and roots musician, but I have always been amazed by the technical excellence that some Metal musicians are capable of). And the CDs opening notes by lead singer Rob Halford seem to imply that band find a lot in common with the life struggles of Nostradamus and their own personal lives. Still at times I find myself relating to this album like I would a fun 1960's Marvel comic book. 

 Did I enjoy this album? Hell yeah? And I think I am going to enjoy this album even more with more listens. 

 I’ve got to give the Priest credit for this one. This idea must have sounded terribly Spinal Tap to their record label. In fact, as serious as they are taking the music in this one, I can also picture the band laughing and making Spinal Tap references to each other during the making of this one. In other words: They are taking the music very seriously even if they don’t take themselves seriously.

 What about the packaging? The CD comes in a standard Jewel case with an illustrated lyrics books. And it's a double CD that doesn't sell for too much more than a most single CDs sell for. Talk about giving value to your fans. 

 What if I am not ready to buy the whole album? The album is supposed to be listened to like on long piece of work, but try the song Prophecy

 

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