By Annie Filer

The Decemberists
American Indie Rock Band from Portland, Oregon
EP: The Tain – Length 18:35
Genres: Progressive rock, Indie rock, folk rock, Baroque pop
Released: March 4, 2004
Label: Acuarela in 2004 and Kill Rock Stars in 2005
Producer: Christopher Walla of Death Cab for Cutie
Website: Decemberists

How can you not love a band named after a Russian insurrection, the Decembrist revolt of 1825? Colin Malloy has also said that the band’s name is also meant to invoke the “drama and melancholy“ of the month of December. You decide…

Formed in 2000, the band today is coined a true hipster band, primarily based on where they are from. But for people who are “too old” to be a hipster, this band is worth every minute of your time. To be perfectly honest I am not very familiar with The Decemberists but completely fell in love with the song Crane Wife 3 a few years ago – without hearing the other two songs, Crane Wife 1 or 2. So I was really excited to take the time to lean about and listen to more of what I think is pretty amazing band.

Listening to The Tain is a really cool, oddly inspiring and unusual experience, almost symphonic in nature. It does have 5 distinct sections or movements. I can see why they are coined as melancholy, they are, but they have such a unique edge to them. The Tain is almost difficult to separate the distinct lyrics and the music. The music is so differently plotted in each movement. Part I is metal-like with somewhat evil undertones, yet there is an amazing head banging (mosh pit) quality that that really fits nicely. Part II moves more quickly and is held more by the vocals – melodious and has the lyrics you (or at least me) want to sing along to. Part III is melodious and carnival-like, something I could listen to over and over again. Part IV sends the listener back to hard rock as the story comes to a deathly turn and the listener transitions perfectly into Part V where the music and lyrics (and the story) end with a loud start and stop. As mentioned before, separating the story, the music and the lyrics is almost impossible. Listen to the music first, and then watch the video.

Please note that this EP was recorded over the course of four days in Walla’s Seattle, Washington studio. If you are interested in learning more about The Decembrists or finding out about their tour schedule, I encourage you to go to their website or go to Pitchfork Media’s website and take a look at the music video – it really is a must see to really appreciate the music.

I am surprised that no one has actually called this gem a rock opera. By definition, it actually does fit the bill and frankly this is they kind of “rock opera” that could be multi-platform because of the length. I would love to see a modern dance choreographer take this on – it would take this amazing music and story to a totally new level.

If you are a kid of the 80’s, this is something you need invest your time in. You won’t be disappointed; this is music from our youth and how I have missed this EP is downright nutty. Now that I have it – I want more. I hope to comment on more of their music soon. 

Interesting Factoid:

For you traveling history buffs, Tain is a royal burgh and parish in the County of Ross, in the Highlands of Scotland. Is was granted its first Royal Charter in 1066, making it Scotland’s oldest Royal Burgh. Tain also refers to the silver backing on mirrors or an idiot, depending upon where you are from and the context in which you are saying the word. In the context of this EP, the “táin” is a reference to a legendary or epic tale from early Irish literature written in prose rather than verse. Although only one lyric references this in PART III: …”the mirror’s soft silver tain, reflects our last and breathing hour.”  The Tain they are referring to in the song is the Irish mythological epic Táin Bó Cúailnge. If you are interested in learning more about the story read Kinsella or another translation

The video by Andy Smetanka does tell of a traditional Tain story. As recommended before, please watch it. It is so different than any video you have seen – with the Japanese stop-motion, paper cutout/stop animation style of storytelling and fits the story and music really beautifully in my opinion.

The Band (as of today):
Jenny Conlee – keyboards, piano, Hammond organ, accordion, synthesizer, melodica
Chris Funk – guitar, multi-instrumentalist, mandolin
Colin Meloy –  lead vocals, guitar (principal songwriter), bouzouki, harmonica
John Moen – drums, backing vocals, melodica
Nate Query – bass guitar, double, cello

Former Members:
Rachel Blumberg
Jesse Emerson
Ezra Holbrook

Track Listing
Part I – 2:12
Part II – 2:50
Part III – 5:04
Part IV – 4:18
Part V – 4:11