To say the Decemberists are understated is an understatement in itself.  They thrive on slow progression, gradual melody and muted harmony.  "Prelude", the organ-centric intro piece, sets the stage for the soft and somewhat somber realm of "Hazards...", a musical approach to classic storytelling.

Like Seattle's Death Cab For Cutie, Portland's Decemberists exist to give new tonal meaning to pop music.  No two albums are quite alike, but each are quintessential to the band that birthed them.  "The Hazards of Love" draws parallels between changes of self and nature as a pastoral-pop musical: Physical changes both of body and land; emotional and seasonal turmoil; choice and consequence. 

Each voice singing has a name ("Second Voice", "William", "Margaret", "Queen", etc.) and they answer each other's calls in future verses and tracks as the album progresses.  The "Hazards" spoken of are the heartaches, joys, deaths, and births that accompany any great love affair.  Experiencing this album is enjoyed more fully with the booklet to read and follow. 

"The Hazards of Love" is an album that needs to be heard several times before fully understood, but only heard once to fall for the Decemberists.


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Track Listing:

1) Prelude
2) The Hazards Of Love (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle The Thistles Undone)
3) A Bower Scene
4) Won't Want For Love (Margaret In The Taiga)
5) The Hazards Of Love 2 (Wager All)
6) The Queen's Approach
7) Isn't It A Lovely Night?
8) The Wanting Comes In Waves/ Repaid
9) An Interlude
10)   The Rake's Song
11)   The Abduction of Margaret
12)   The Queen's Rebuke/ The Crossing
13)   Annan Water
14)   Margaret In Captivity
15)   The Hazards Of Love 3 (reprise)
16)   The Wanting Comes In Waves (reprise)
17)   The Hazards Of Love 4 (The Drowned)