Hear all the bombs that fade away

With today's post, my 300th blog entry, I join an elite league, The 300 Club. Some members include:

• Cy Young
• Christy Mathewson
• Warren Spahn
• Pud Galvin
• Roger Clemons
• Greg Maddux
• Steve Carlton
• Nolan Ryan
• Phil Niekro
• Gaylord Perry
• Tom Seaver
• I Charge Laughing

On with the post . . .

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The new album from The Decemberists, The Crane Wife, came out today, so I purchased it immediately.


After two listens, I can declare with certainty that The Crane Wife is a beautiful album, full of old familiar Decemberists and new & fun Decemberists. In general, the album seems to have a more driving sound -- from the wonderful drums of the opening track, "The Crane Wife 3," to the dominant bass line of the sumptuous "Sons & Daughters."

The album marks the major label debut for the group, so many were afraid of the whole "sell-out" thing. Put your fears to rest. The great new directions that the band takes on tracks such as "The Perfect Crime #2" (which has kind of a 70s guitar-based feel to it, with delicious results) are not exactly commercially aimed changes. Two songs, "The Island" and "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" are epic Tainesque numbers full of complexity and oddness. But for the purists, some tracks are simply vintage Decemberists, such as "Shankhill Butchers" and "Yankee Bayonet."

Going on three listens now, I have a few favorites: "The Crane Wife 3," "O Valencia," and "The Perfect Crime #2." But "Sons and Daughters," with its stirring harmonies, subtle accordian, and lovely singalong, has quickly become one of my favorite Decemberists' songs ever.

The Decemberists have evolved a bit. But change sounds wonderful.