With The Hazards of Love, the Decemberists have out-nerded
themselves and, in the process, they’ve created one hell of an epic
masterpiece. A lady held captive, a vengeful queen, a shape-shifting
monster and an unrepentant rake are a few of the characters the
Portland-based band follows on this multi-genre adventure. On the
biggest, most innovative concept album of the 21st century, the
Decemberists switch between metal, renaissance-era folk and everything
in between. Frontman Colin Meloy has called the 17-song rock opera “a
natural connection between Fairport Convention and Black Sabbath … a
shared sense of narrative and ambience.” The Decemberists have always
used colorful narratives to tell distinctive musical tales, but this is
the first time they’ve focused an entire album on a single plot.
Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark sings the part of the abused maiden in a
devastatingly sweet, timeless tone, while My Brightest Diamond’s Shara
Worden belts out the queen’s heavy-metal verses with vigor. But Meloy
is the star, transforming his voice as he switches characters and
surrounds himself with a musical cast worthy of indulging true royalty.
Harpsichord, organ, electric and acoustic guitars, and synthesizer
shimmer around a story that sucks listeners in and doesn’t let go until
the last note. — Danielle Sills
This article appears in Mar 25-31, 2009.
