Colin Meloy (of The Decemberists) has signed a three-book deal to write… a young-adult series! Now, the concept of the author of The Shankill Butchers and A Cautionary Tale (to say nothing of The Mariner’s Revenge Song or On the Bus Mall) writing for children might be a little bit frightening, but I truly expect great things.
[edited to add: For the hardcore fan, here’s something fun – a track-by-track death count, up through The Hazards of Love (does not include the new album).]
edit #2 – NPR has a broadcast of the whole new album played live at the release event! (HT to commenter “Jerry” at The Juggler)
Also – reading the lyrics for the new album, I thought I’d take a crack at updating the body count.
The King is Dead
- track 1 – Don’t Carry it All – 1 (“a wreath… laid upon the body of a boy”)
- track 2 – Calamity Song – at least 40 (“scores of innocents died”)
- track 3 – Rise To Me – 0
- track 4 – Rox in the Box – 0
- track 5 – January Hymn – 0
- track 6 – Down by the Water – 0
- track 7 – All Arise! – 0
- track 8 – June Hymn – 0
- track 9 – This is Why We Fight – 0
- track 10 – Dear Avery – 1 (I believe)
This brings the grand total from 70 to at least 112.
sightless among miracles 
I cannot express how much I want to read that …
P.S. The death count in Decemberist songs was awesome. I knew there was a reason I loved Meloy’s stuff.
I have a couple of The Decemberists albums on my wishlist, but still haven’t purchased any. Do you have a recommendation of which one I should get first?
that’s a good question! I really cut my teeth on The Crane Wife, absolutely falling in love with the 3-part title track (an exploration of the well known Japanese folk tale)… I’d probably start with either Crane Wife or possibly Picaresque.
The Hazards of Love is an awesome achievement, but it’s not a really a full representation of all the directions the band goes in because it’s a connected story, a full-fledged “concept album” the likes of which hasn’t been seen since the days of The Wall and Tommy…
I’ll start with The Crane Wife. :)
I hope you love it!
I’m also very excited about the brand new album, especially after reading Laura’s review of it on The Juggler…
Rickety-tickety tin!
p.s. This is the group I told you about (through Donna’s FB)
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/05/133523486/the-sway-machinery-finding-inspiration-in-the-desert
His music is directly inspired by his grandfather, who was a cantor.
Cool – thanks! I was not familiar with them, but I like what I’m hearing… I should do a post some time on all the great Jewish music I’ve been discovering over the last few years.