The Decemberists headline NPR showcase, debut album
NPR is jumping once again from radio waves to the main stage and taking The Decemberists with them. The Portland, Ore.,-based group has been tapped to headline the public radio's showcase the opening night (March 18) of the SXSW Music Conference and Festival.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsDecemberists head to the sticks with Hazards of Love art
Given the (unbearable? delightful? unbearably delightful?) new depths of creepiness mined by "The Rake's Song" last week, perhaps you thought that the cover of The Decemberists' upcoming Hazards of Love LP would also be a wee bit discomfiting. Maybe a little dark, a little sanguine; a few dead babies here, a few unrepentant fathers there. But just like all those folks who never thought a song about infanticide could be totally effing catchy, you are wrong, friend. ... read more
Found in: Music, NewsTwenty Songs not by The Decemberists About Kids Meeting Unfortunate Ends
The Decemberists offered up "The Rake's Song," a track from their upcoming Hazards of Love LP, as a free download last week, which means that lots of people were probably struck with the same two thoughts that hit me upon my own first listen. One, this is a song about a dude killing his kids. Two, there are not many songs about that. ... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DaySix Albums to Get Excited About in 2009
When I wrote my Five Movies to Get Excited About in 2009 list a couple weeks ago, ostensibly, I was providing a reader service. But really, I was getting as pumped up about those movies as anyone reading that post. In fact, I'm listening to Ready to Die right now, looking forward to taking in a showing of Notorious this weekend. Looking forward to stuff is fun, and it makes actually experiencing said stuff just that much more awesome (or, alternately, disappointing).Editing the news section of PasteMagazine.com also gets me hyped about forthcoming albums on a daily basis. From big... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayDecemberists offer free download of baby-killin' "Rake's Song"
We know what you're thinking. "Gee," you're thinking. "There are just not enough songs about disgruntled widowers cruelly doing away with their own children available for download on the Internet." But leave it to The Decemberists to make all your weirdo dreams come true. Or at least this one. ... read more
Found in: Music, NewsNine Great Songs About Roads
The Paste staff is slowly trickling back into the office after our holiday trips, and I think I can safely speak for everyone when I say that, if we're not completely happy to be home, then at least we're thrilled to be off the roads for a bit. Not that Atlanta traffic is much better, but hey, better the snarled, congested, crazy-making concrete devil you know, right? In tribute to coming home from the holidays, and in celebration of all the travels 2009 will bring, here are nine great songs about roads. Listen to them all on the last page,... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayThe Decemberists' Hazards of Love has release date, track list
Back in October, the Decemberists announced that their upcoming fifth LP, Hazards of Love, was fully recorded, tracked and... read more
Found in: Music, NewsCurrent Events: When Pirates Attack - Paste counts down the Top 20 Best Pirate Songs not appearing in a Disney movie or theme-park ride
You can't turn on the news or pick up a paper these days without noticing a rather strange but kinda awesome (from dry land, at least) new phenomenon: the return of pirates to the high seas! OK, I know what you're gonna say—this isn't some kiddie movie starring Johnny Depp as a Keith Richards-impersonating swashbuckler; this stuff is for real! Even so, you gotta admire the moxie of those Somali scallywags. I mean, it takes some pretty big balls—even for a crew of buccaneers—to knock off a Saudi oil tanker carrying $100 million in crude. Now that's some 21st-century-style booty!... read more
Found in: Blogs, Ctrl-VDavid Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, The National, Feist, many more contribute to Dark Was the Night comp
Today is World AIDS Day. Appropriately enough, it's also the day that the line-up was revealed for Dark Was the Night, a compilation release which will benefit AIDS/HIV awareness group, The Red Hot Organization.... read more
Found in: Culture, NewsColin Meloy, Spring Awakening team in musical talks
Last week, we told you about the Decemberists' new album Hazards of Love and its past life as a would-be musical. We also mentioned that frontman Colin Meloy was "still working with" some producers on "another project” for the stage, and while we didn't expect to hear much else about it for a while, well, we have. ... read more
Found in: Culture, News
