Listening to The Decemberists on Radio Paradise

This is outstanding Over The Top Prog! You Go Young Margaret!

Posted 2 years ago by thewiseking [ Reply ]

Time to chime in on the song length debate. I personally love it when a band stretches their talents into a longer song. Whether it be a single piece of music (Pink Floyd Dogs, Yes Close to the Edge, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, etc), or a string of connected songs such as this or Snow Patrol's The Lightning Strike, I do enjoy the format of pushing a song well beyond 4 minutes. The haters just need to think of it as different songs intertwined, just as if you were listening to an album side.

Posted 2 years ago by Relayer [ Reply ]

kudos Jamus, and before ...And Then There Were Three... Supper's Ready!

Posted 2 years ago by gemhuntertv [ Reply ]

This is pretty epic! Fanks.

Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry [ Reply ]

michael_crf wrote:

The Decemberists rule
Colin Melody’s voice is divisive even in my house
I love it
My wife and daughter can’t stand it
That’s why air pods rule

yeah, agreed. i'm with your wife and daughter. LOL but love air pods.

Posted 2 years ago by lily34 [ Reply ]

I'm reminded of Renaissance. but probably of the wonderfull Haslamesque female vocals.

Posted 2 years ago by TheKing2 [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

Radio Paradise is the best station I've come across. The DJ's respect the listener. Play great music.

Posted 3 years ago by kurnatovsky [ Reply ]

Wow!!

Posted 3 years ago by soneill4920941 [ Reply ]

jmsmy wrote:

I just heard this today on RP and bought the CD right after. It's great.

Hi JMS from 2009. We had good times then. It's still great in 2022. Wish we had your President.

Posted 3 years ago by jmsmy [ Reply ]

sfoster66 wrote:

Hard to battle through this opus if you're not a fan....

This Opus made me a fan...

Posted 3 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

Yes, yes, yes. This is sooo good. Nice to break from the usual time and music format. Such variety. Thanks William (previously known as Bill;-)) for putting the time and effort to stitch the 6 pieces together. That's tailor-made DJing.
Cheers

Posted 3 years ago by Egctheow [ Reply ]

the females vocals....sandy denny

Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

lizardking wrote:

can you say 'blah blah blah' for 17.5 minutes though?

When you talk to a donkey, they hear: blah,blah,blah

Posted 3 years ago by michael_crf [ Reply ]

The Decemberists rule
Colin Melody’s voice is divisive even in my house
I love it
My wife and daughter can’t stand it
That’s why air pods rule

Posted 3 years ago by michael_crf [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

Here here...RP is why I listen....variety, composition, hearing new music everyday

Posted 3 years ago by Yiungdrac [ Reply ]

Signwrtr61 wrote:

Hey Bill....And what an awesome job you did with it! It was waaayy cool, to keep up with the "story" via lyrics! Brilliant, Sir! Thank you SO much! Truckload of kudos to you, for bringing this together for the appreciative listeners! Don't mind the whiners! They just don't understand! Lol Best, in the coming new year, brother! For you and, all yours!

The first time I heard Dark Side it was like, this is all one song. Looking forward to hearing the medley the next time RP plays it.

Posted 3 years ago by brosen [ Reply ]

They should have done more work on the vocal track. Lots more.

Posted 3 years ago by jsd52756 [ Reply ]

tm wrote:

17 minutes later? is this the same song?

It's first 6 songs from the album, that's why it says Prelude -> The Queen's Approach

Prelude 3:04
The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle The Thistles Undone) 4:19
A Bower Scene 2:09
Won't Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga) 4:07
The Hazards Of Love 2 (Wager All) 4:26
The Queen's Approach 0:29

Posted 3 years ago by nightdrive [ Reply ]

The Decemberists are one of my RP finds and this album is awesome played end-to-end (for me...)

10 for the music
10 for RP - but only cos the numbers don't go higher!!!

Posted 3 years ago by meanderer [ Reply ]

Edweirdo wrote:

Quite interesting; I've rated it an 8. The overall sound is a bit boxy for me.

Really? I found it triangular.

Posted 3 years ago by todbothom [ Reply ]

17 minutes later? is this the same song?

Posted 3 years ago by tm [ Reply ]

I absolutely love this album waiting to see The Decemberists for the third time this summer

Posted 3 years ago by rrowdies [ Reply ]

I've always wanted to like them more than I do, but this song is amazing, I think I'm a sucker for ending the phrase in a major third, but in any case, masterful to me.

Posted 3 years ago by jerund [ Reply ]

Quite interesting; I've rated it an 8. The overall sound is a bit boxy for me.

Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo [ Reply ]

Signwrtr61 wrote:

That....or, " the way things are these days"!! Ridiculous! Not bad enough, that gov't shoves all the "mandates" down our throats but, the quotes of those two lines is basically, another smack in the face! It's here, deal with it, and keep those snide comments to oneself, eh?!!? Like we need to keep hearing it again, and again! Good grief, Charlie Brown!!

perhaps if we simply focus on music...

Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee [ Reply ]

MayBaby wrote:

Great post except if I hear "In these trying times" or similar gist again I'm gonna scream.
...Guess I'll be screaming well into the decade.

That....or, " the way things are these days"!! Ridiculous! Not bad enough, that gov't shoves all the "mandates" down our throats but, the quotes of those two lines is basically, another smack in the face! It's here, deal with it, and keep those snide comments to oneself, eh?!!? Like we need to keep hearing it again, and again! Good grief, Charlie Brown!!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Sasha2001 wrote:

Hahaha, you're comparing The decemberists to all those great and amazing bands!

Hahahaha!

Not getting the point, dear!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

sfoster66 wrote:

Hard to battle through this opus if you're not a fan....

That's almost like saying....you love your new custom home but, don't appreciate the skill and talent that the carpenters have to create it! Sheesh!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Clarentine wrote:

This song cycle continues to age like fine wine - bumping up to a 9. Thank you for playing the whole thing together as it was intended to be heard!

And...Thank you for your appreciative comment and, the "hidden" props to Bill, for having put it together, in a somewhat of a "singular" piece! He's awesome, Bill! AND his wife! Long live Bill and Rebecca...aka/RP!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Jelani wrote:

I know there's a lot of dislike for this song here, but I think it's just brilliant. One of the most engaging and evocative compositions(contemporary) I've heard in a long time.
Gets a 10 from me.

Ya know what?....I just have to say thank you, for a delightfully pleasant comment about it! It is truly a beautiful piece! Lotta hard work putting it all together and, thanks to Bill's immeasurable skills, put it together for us listeners to follow lyrics through the whole "story"!! Thanks again! Best in the coming new year! ✌

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Silvervanman wrote:

'Orrible noise.

I like to have a nap now and then after work with the mainly musical rp wafting soothingly across my lug'oles. This severely interrupted my reverie and I had to get up and make this comment. I would have just let it pass but it went on, and on..

Unappreciative bloke!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Stetsonman wrote:

goes on a bit doesnt it?

And, most delightfully, thank you! At the very least, gotta give Bill kudos for "piecing" it all together, to be able to follow! Sheesh! How ungrateful you seem!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Stetsonman wrote:

got it off your chest now you bunch of knob-heads?

found a field of clover?

Dodged the hazards of love?

arseholes

Loser!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

Sasha2001 wrote:

Clearly the original post isn't about the length of classical symphonies or even sonatas. It's about popular rock compositions. The idea that anyone would compare this pretentious piece of dreck to a great piece of classical music is laughable on its face.

Would have to think by your comment, you're as pretentious as what you refer to as dreck. Clearly don't have any appreciation for how Bill "pieced" this together for us appreciative listeners. Nor, the amount of dedication to the amount of work it took, to create the entire work! Yeah....THAT'S being pretentious.

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

BillG wrote:

I had to import all 6 tracks into an audio editor & stitch them back together. I used to use a CD ripper that would let you adjust the start & end points of a track (that's how I acquired the extended Dark Side Of the Moon medley that we play here, for instance) but the program that I'm using these days doesn't have that feature.

On a related note, this is an instance where the per-track sales & distribution model really falls apart. Even if you buy the whole album via iTunes or Amazon, you're left with a grossly substandard listening experience, since the album can't flow together nicely like it's supposed to. Lame.

Hey Bill....And what an awesome job you did with it! It was waaayy cool, to keep up with the "story" via lyrics! Brilliant, Sir! Thank you SO much! Truckload of kudos to you, for bringing this together for the appreciative listeners! Don't mind the whiners! They just don't understand! Lol Best, in the coming new year, brother! For you and, all yours!

Posted 4 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

I love this so much

Posted 4 years ago by swart [ Reply ]

I tried to like it. Maybe it will grow on me!

Posted 4 years ago by eileenomurphy [ Reply ]

Hard to battle through this opus if you're not a fan....

Posted 4 years ago by sfoster66 [ Reply ]

h8rhater wrote:

Your argument is ridiculous and invalidated by the following (which is a short list):
Pink Floyd: Echos and Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts one and two)
Beatles: Entire back side of Abbey Road
Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused (live)
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Free Bird
Allman Bros. Mountain Jam, Whipping Post (the definitive live version from the Fillmore)
Genesis: Supper's Ready
Iron Butterfly: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Grateful Dead: Terrapin Station
Rush: Hemispheres
Bob Dylan: Murder Most Foul
Coltrane: Ascension, Free Jazz
Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick
Sonic Youth - The Diamond Sea
Arlo Guthrie: Alice's Restaurant Massacree
Miles Davis: He Loved Them Madly

Etcetera...

Hahaha, you're comparing The decemberists to all those great and amazing bands!

Hahahaha!

Posted 4 years ago by Sasha2001 [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

Clearly the original post isn't about the length of classical symphonies or even sonatas. It's about popular rock compositions. The idea that anyone would compare this pretentious piece of dreck to a great piece of classical music is laughable on its face.

Posted 4 years ago by Sasha2001 [ Reply ]

Anyone else thought the opening was "Thriller"?

Posted 4 years ago by wifesboyfriend [ Reply ]

got it off your chest now you bunch of knob-heads?

found a field of clover?

Dodged the hazards of love?

arseholes

Posted 4 years ago by Stetsonman [ Reply ]

Still not finished?

Posted 4 years ago by Stetsonman [ Reply ]

goes on a bit doesnt it?

Posted 4 years ago by Stetsonman [ Reply ]

septimuswarren wrote:

Any band that thinks it can record a 17 minute song and that anyone will listen to it clearly thinks too much of itself. This is a dreadful song. I will make a sizable contribution to RP if it never plays this song again and an even larger contribution if never plays the Decemberists ever again. Sucko Barfo indeed!

Your argument is ridiculous and invalidated by the following (which is a short list):
Pink Floyd: Echos and Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts one and two)
Beatles: Entire back side of Abbey Road
Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused (live)
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Free Bird
Allman Bros. Mountain Jam, Whipping Post (the definitive live version from the Fillmore)
Genesis: Supper's Ready
Iron Butterfly: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Grateful Dead: Terrapin Station
Rush: Hemispheres
Bob Dylan: Murder Most Foul
Coltrane: Ascension, Free Jazz
Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick
Sonic Youth - The Diamond Sea
Arlo Guthrie: Alice's Restaurant Massacree
Miles Davis: He Loved Them Madly

Etcetera...

Posted 4 years ago by h8rhater [ Reply ]

This is lovely!

Posted 4 years ago by asilbuch [ Reply ]

'Orrible noise.

I like to have a nap now and then after work with the mainly musical rp wafting soothingly across my lug'oles. This severely interrupted my reverie and I had to get up and make this comment. I would have just let it pass but it went on, and on..

Posted 4 years ago by Silvervanman [ Reply ]

This has a retro quality I like. Some British Band for example.

Posted 4 years ago by whatsupdude [ Reply ]

hbs47 wrote:

A great attempt at a non-formulaic music making. I pity anyone that cannot afford or are unable to listen to a 17 minute piece.
Maybe Bill can find a 2 minute version of Bolero for them?

Prog rock lives for sure in this quite likable piece.

Posted 4 years ago by bluejay08003 [ Reply ]

I know there's a lot of dislike for this song here, but I think it's just brilliant. One of the most engaging and evocative compositions(contemporary) I've heard in a long time.
Gets a 10 from me.

Posted 4 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

gmsingh123 wrote:

I like any song that manages to use the word "irascible".

Today I Learnt: I am somewhat irascible. Yes. It needs fixing. Thanks mate!

Posted 4 years ago by jhalfmoon [ Reply ]

This song cycle continues to age like fine wine - bumping up to a 9. Thank you for playing the whole thing together as it was intended to be heard!

Posted 4 years ago by Clarentine [ Reply ]

A great attempt at a non-formulaic music making. I pity anyone that cannot afford or are unable to listen to a 17 minute piece.
Maybe Bill can find a 2 minute version of Bolero for them?

Posted 4 years ago by hbs47 [ Reply ]

The hazards of too much of his vocals.

Posted 4 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]

Ich saß mit meiner Tochter an Frühstückstisch, es war sehr schön, für sie die sanfte Musik am Morgen und für mich das Gitarrengeschrammel zwischendurch.
Es wurde nicht langweilig.
17 min. Hut ab.

Posted 4 years ago by otschihorst [ Reply ]

Saw the show in Vancouver, bought the CD at the show and left on a 2 week roadtrip in our Westy the next day. We must have listened to this a hundred times. Still gives me shivers.

Posted 5 years ago by rickbeec [ Reply ]

god awful

Posted 5 years ago by lmkny5 [ Reply ]

Kajukenbo wrote:

... Anyway, during the show the "battle " between Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond) and Shara Nova (of My Brightest Diamond) was the best singing I've ever heard live. ...

Kelly Hogan did a bangin' job with the female roles when I saw them. Powerful and commanding...

Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy [ Reply ]

I bought this CD a day or so before seeing this concert and the nice lady at the CD store (shoutout to Deaf Ear Records in La Crosse, WI!) noticed the CD and said she was also going to the concert. I happened to run into her at the concert and right before the show started she gave me an excellent overview of the theme of the CD. At the concert The Decembrists played the whole album sequentially, in its entirety, and with many elaborations. Her explanation helped me understand the show which allowed me to truly enjoy the show. Without her explanation I think understanding the show would have been difficult. Granted, the show did need an explanation to truly enjoy it, which I understand is somewhat problematic. Anyway, during the show the "battle " between Becky Stark (of Lavender Diamond) and Shara Nova (of My Brightest Diamond) was the best singing I've ever heard live. It was amazing and the CD doesn't do quite do justice to the battle or the concert. I believe this concept album is the very height of the Decembrists talents and is a rare achievement among any bands. This is one to listen to the whole thing from start to finish with a good set of headphones or speakers! Enjoy.

Posted 5 years ago by Kajukenbo [ Reply ]

If we're going to play a rock opera, at least make it Tommy or something that has some zip to it? I don't deny the songwriting prowess here, but it just becomes Meh after a while.

Posted 5 years ago by acolt [ Reply ]

I appreciate that somebody has the guts to create a 'rock opera' ala The Who. And the talent to make it interesting.

I don't think this one will be made into a movie, but hey, it's not 1975.
c.

Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider [ Reply ]

9 > 10 today and it's on the Christmas list please

Just enjoying this so much today - no idea why, but loving the feeling

Posted 5 years ago by meanderer [ Reply ]

It is just so cool, to hear this tune, in all it's parts, played consecutively.....this is an absolutely incomparable piece.

Posted 5 years ago by Signwrtr61 [ Reply ]

I'm not against the playing of long tracks, echoing the positive comments from others more eloquently stated here. I delight in "Shine On" when it gets an occasional airing and I once encountered the full version of Thick As A Brick here I am sure. Trouble is I left it on thinking "I hate this song but at least it will be over soon". 17 minutes later I'm thinking I've got a problem with the sync! All part of the fun of RP. Can we have all of "Grendel" one day?

Posted 5 years ago by Ironmat [ Reply ]

Haven't heard this in quite a while. A welcome return.

Posted 5 years ago by Steely_D [ Reply ]

Proclivities wrote:

Gilbert Gottfried has a unique and interesting voice as well. Meloy is a better lyricist though.

I'm always up for watching PBS' Cyberchase with my nephew or niece. The
voices of Gilbert Gottfried ("Digit") and Christopher Lloyd ("The Hacker")
always crack me up...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.

Posted 5 years ago by tonyinnj [ Reply ]

snagle.1776 wrote:

Has little bit of a "Yes" sound to it.

In the composition, I "see" that. For me, that's not quite a plus. Horses for courses...

Posted 5 years ago by bluejay08003 [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

Great post except if I hear "In these trying times" or similar gist again I'm gonna scream.
...Guess I'll be screaming well into the decade.

Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby [ Reply ]

Wow. I didn't know they had it in them! 9, plus record download.

Posted 5 years ago by Piranga [ Reply ]

jacopo777 wrote:

Dreary dreary, oh so dreary.

Wrong wrong, oh so wrong... To these ears anyway!!

Gotta love RP for variety

Posted 5 years ago by meanderer [ Reply ]

vandal wrote:

Powerful, moving, magnificent...

I agree, wholeheartedly, to the opposition of most RP listeners...

Posted 5 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

Has little bit of a "Yes" sound to it.

Posted 5 years ago by snagle.1776 [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

... I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station.

This is exactly what I have been doing for years! Long live RP and QXR. Supporting both. They support me.

Posted 5 years ago by firefly6 [ Reply ]

"The Hazards of Love tells the tale of a woman named Margaret; her shape-shifting lover, William; his fey forest queen mother; and a cold-blooded, lascivious rake, who recounts with spine-chilling ease how he came "to be living so easy and free" in "The Rake's Song". Lavender Diamond’s Becky Stark and My Brightest Diamond’s Shara Nova deliver the lead vocals for the female characters, while My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Robyn Hitchcock and The Spinanes’ Rebecca Gates appear in supporting roles."
~Wikipedia

Powerful, moving, magnificent...

Posted 5 years ago by vandal [ Reply ]

Lovely...even with a sneaky fawn. Today's hazards of love seem even more weighty.

Posted 5 years ago by dc_zee [ Reply ]

Jamus wrote:

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

I'm guessing septimuswarren's not much of a Tull - Thick as a Brick fan.

Posted 5 years ago by slates13 [ Reply ]

septimuswarren wrote:

Any band that thinks it can record a 17 minute song and that anyone will listen to it clearly thinks too much of itself. This is a dreadful song. I will make a sizable contribution to RP if it never plays this song again and an even larger contribution if never plays the Decemberists ever again. Sucko Barfo indeed!

Dear septimuswarren, You appear to be unaware that the 4/5 minute duration of a song/performance is, relatively speaking, a very contemporary occurrence. Prior to the recording industry's move to truncate composition and inevitably attention span, composers were able to express emotions and ideas more like great painters instead of cartoonists.
Having a great love for musical creativity, I tend to split my listening between Radio Paradise (one of if not the best stations for the effort that Rebecca and Bill put into playlists) and WQXR, New York City's classical music station. Try to broaden your musical intelligence; hats off to RP for occasionally playing longer length classical and contemporary works. it is part of why this station is remarkable in the midst of common broadcasts. Best regards and hopes that you remain healthy during these trying times.

Posted 5 years ago by Jamus [ Reply ]

septimuswarren wrote:

Any band that thinks it can record a 17 minute song and that anyone will listen to it clearly thinks too much of itself. This is a dreadful song. I will make a sizable contribution to RP if it never plays this song again and an even larger contribution if never plays the Decemberists ever again. Sucko Barfo indeed!

I listen to it. And I listen willingly and enjoy it. Others here do as well. If you never heard a 17 minute song before, you either never listened to music until recently, or were born recently.

Posted 5 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

I love getting to hear the stitched together version of these somewhere other than my CD :)

Posted 5 years ago by Marr [ Reply ]

Any band that thinks it can record a 17 minute song and that anyone will listen to it clearly thinks too much of itself. This is a dreadful song. I will make a sizable contribution to RP if it never plays this song again and an even larger contribution if never plays the Decemberists ever again. Sucko Barfo indeed!

Posted 5 years ago by septimuswarren [ Reply ]

mrtuba9 wrote:

lizardking wrote:

Right? That's a big reason why I've stopped "watching" the news....not that I'm completely out of the loop; my wife keeps me updated on the orange headed monster all the time. And when she does, it sounds a lot like "blah blah blah" for 17.5 minutes!!

Thanks for the laugh, Proc...and hope all's well with you...and of course....Long Live RP!!

I have a great co-worker now who has a political science degree and actually knows politics and keeps me informed to the extent that I want to be. I stopped watching news long, long ago. I still listen to radio news, but I had to even take a break from NPR because it was sooooo depressing with talk of ol' orange hair!!!

Y'all think you're "updated" and in-the-know? Who's keeping your sources wet? Whet?

Posted 5 years ago by gmichaelt [ Reply ]

BillG wrote:

I had to import all 6 tracks into an audio editor & stitch them back together. I used to use a CD ripper that would let you adjust the start & end points of a track (that's how I acquired the extended Dark Side Of the Moon medley that we play here, for instance) but the program that I'm using these days doesn't have that feature.

On a related note, this is an instance where the per-track sales & distribution model really falls apart. Even if you buy the whole album via iTunes or Amazon, you're left with a grossly substandard listening experience, since the album can't flow together nicely like it's supposed to. Lame.

Did something similar with the Abbey Road medley. Unfortunately I can't play the track in spotify

Posted 5 years ago by oHelvetos [ Reply ]

Played on Valentines.... Tongue firmly in cheek

Posted 5 years ago by mleidig [ Reply ]

Without knowing who is currently playing, I have found that I consistently and coincidentally prick up my ears whenever this band is being played. Good stuff.

Posted 5 years ago by SnapDragon66 [ Reply ]

I loved this song until I actually listened to the lyrics. Now I have
to go to "play something different" - the song is beautiful, but it
details so repulsive a crime that I cannot bear to hear about it.

Posted 5 years ago by mckamx [ Reply ]

I don't know if I like any of their other stuff, but this album is pretty great, especially the parts with Shara Nova singing.

Posted 5 years ago by ooloncoluphid [ Reply ]

this has a bit of a moody blues flavor i hadn't noticed before

Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars [ Reply ]

lizardking wrote:

Right? That's a big reason why I've stopped "watching" the news....not that I'm completely out of the loop; my wife keeps me updated on the orange headed monster all the time. And when she does, it sounds a lot like "blah blah blah" for 17.5 minutes!!

Thanks for the laugh, Proc...and hope all's well with you...and of course....Long Live RP!!

I have a great co-worker now who has a political science degree and actually knows politics and keeps me informed to the extent that I want to be. I stopped watching news long, long ago. I still listen to radio news, but I had to even take a break from NPR because it was sooooo depressing with talk of ol' orange hair!!!

Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9 [ Reply ]

Not heard this for too long. It's got just the right balance of rocking out, melodic sequences, great vocalists performing interesting lyrics and the mixdown is fantastic.

Posted 6 years ago by christopherwoods [ Reply ]

tres bonne musique rp long vie a vous excellente radio bravo excellente rp tres bonne musique bravo

Posted 6 years ago by tolomiro52 [ Reply ]

Proclivities wrote:

There are far too many people saying "blah, blah, blah" for much longer than 17.5 minutes all the time. Listen to a news cast; it's apparently easier than it would seem. At least this has some music behind it.

Right? That's a big reason why I've stopped "watching" the news....not that I'm completely out of the loop; my wife keeps me updated on the orange headed monster all the time. And when she does, it sounds a lot like "blah blah blah" for 17.5 minutes!!

Thanks for the laugh, Proc...and hope all's well with you...and of course....Long Live RP!!

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

I wasn't paying attention....and about 2 mins ago I thought "WTF...another Decemberist tune"? I didn't realize they had a "supper's ready" in their playlist.

After catching 30 seconds of the MTV music awards....its nice to know someone is out there making music.

Posted 6 years ago by rgio [ Reply ]

lizardking wrote:

can you say 'blah blah blah' for 17.5 minutes though?

There are far too many people saying "blah, blah, blah" for much longer than 17.5 minutes all the time. Listen to a news cast; it's apparently easier than it would seem. At least this has some music behind it.

Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Will The Decemberists be the new Porcupine Tree for Bill?

Posted 6 years ago by CoYoT51 [ Reply ]

Will this ever stop? My ears are bleeding.

Posted 6 years ago by mbolch30307 [ Reply ]

I knew reading the comments on this one would be entertaining. If you think the song is epic, you should listen to the whole album! And if you think the song sucks, you should also listen to the whole album, if only to hear Shara Worden belt it out as the Forest Queen. It really tells a great story.

Long live beautiful, intelligent, compelling concept albums. And thanks RP for bringing this one out of the memory banks for me. Haven't listened to in too long.

Posted 6 years ago by dwaynejarrell [ Reply ]

Not everyone is an AOR (Album-Oriented Rock, for you youngsters) fan, but I love that this reminds me of the AOR of yore (Supper's Ready, Tommy, Lamb Lies Down on Broadway). I love a good story musically told.

Posted 6 years ago by nwbiblio [ Reply ]

Thankful we're finally past the FM radio 4-minute tunage (Allowing the minstrel to tell their tale)

Posted 6 years ago by john_m_hopkins [ Reply ]

The heavy use of Anglo-Saxonisms and alliteration in the lyrics brings to mind the work of Seamus Heaney or Tolkien. An homage to early medieval Germanic epic poetry perhaps? Great song BTW!

Posted 6 years ago by woodchuk [ Reply ]

Dreary dreary, oh so dreary.

Posted 6 years ago by jacopo777 [ Reply ]

I keep hearing the melody in Massive Attack's Teardrop in Part 4

Posted 6 years ago by rhlrstn [ Reply ]

Queue wrote:

I just think it's cool that a band did a Rock Opera as recent as 2009.

To see it performed uninterrupted in its entirety live at Bonnaroo in the same year was transcendental. '09 was a great year in music!

Posted 6 years ago by h8rhater [ Reply ]

Dang gotta like this!!!

Posted 6 years ago by ExploitingChaos [ Reply ]

time to yawn and hibernate

Posted 6 years ago by Shotoverplain [ Reply ]

From one of the few actual albums I can remember of late, as opposed to a group of songs. V good. 8 for me. pxd

Posted 6 years ago by pxd [ Reply ]

ltbluesoda wrote:

its about 12 minutes too long. I thought it was stuck on repeat

Agree 100%.

Posted 6 years ago by zapeta [ Reply ]

dsz wrote:

blah blah blah

can you say 'blah blah blah' for 17.5 minutes though?

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

This may be the only Decemberists song that I can listen to. yay.

Posted 6 years ago by hschlossberg [ Reply ]

blah blah blah

Posted 6 years ago by dsz [ Reply ]

The antithesis of mindless synth pop

Posted 7 years ago by clickfaster [ Reply ]

Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I like this and I would define as being in a genre I have decided to call Neo Prog Rock.

I especially the change in tempo and song construction - almost like a few songs sliced together.

The theatrical element to the whole song appeals to me too so bumping it up from 8 > 9!

I kinda like "neo prog rock" although Baroque pop kinda fits too. Esp. with a 17 1/2 min piece like this one. Long Live RP!!

Posted 7 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

Brilliance. Having now seen them live, it gets elevated status for me. I love this album.

Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy [ Reply ]

its about 12 minutes too long. I thought it was stuck on repeat

Posted 7 years ago by ltbluesoda [ Reply ]

I like any song that manages to use the word "irascible".

Posted 7 years ago by gmsingh123 [ Reply ]

It's a rather daring composition.
However, on some days, like this one, it's burdensome noise.
And psd doesn't work to enable me to leave this one behind.
Time for the other psd. The stop button.

Posted 7 years ago by kingart [ Reply ]

Stephen_Phillips wrote:

I like this and I would define as being in a genre I have decided to call Neo Prog Rock.

I especially the change in tempo and song construction - almost like a few songs sliced together.

The theatrical element to the whole song appeals to me too so bumping it up from 8 > 9!

I'll go on the "8 to 9" journey with you! I also find the morbid lyrics to be part of the enjoyment of this one...not sure what that says about me...LONG LIVE RP!!

Posted 7 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

I like this and I would define as being in a genre I have decided to call Neo Prog Rock.

I especially the change in tempo and song construction - almost like a few songs sliced together.

The theatrical element to the whole song appeals to me too so bumping it up from 8 > 9!

Posted 7 years ago by Stephen_Phillips [ Reply ]

I just think it's cool that a band did a Rock Opera as recent as 2009.

Posted 7 years ago by Queue [ Reply ]

There should be a word for when you think you are listening to the same song but in reality Bill slipped in a new song. Brilliant segue!

Posted 7 years ago by Hey_Porter [ Reply ]

A unique perspective, but no.

Posted 7 years ago by jmkate [ Reply ]