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Her Majesty The Decemberists
by
Her Majesty The Decemberists Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the second album for the Portland, Ore.-based indie five-piece led by Colin Meloy.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    A thrilling listen. [Dec 2003, p.140]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Neumu.net
    90
    Meloy's words stir your insides like good poetry, his imaginative tales climb into your mind, set up camp and stay awhile. But without the enchanting, heart-wrenching and totally affecting power that is the consequence of The Decemberists' music, the words would not have ever found life.
  3. Under The Radar
    90
    It's as though The Decemberists have been able to somehow summon that mystical muse that allows for all of the wonder of the musical world to open. [#5, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. AllMusic
    80
    Even though Her Majesty isn't quite as striking and full-formed as Castaways and Cutouts, it's still a consistently charming album that finds the band coming into its own.
  5. Almost Cool
    80
    Clever without being pretentious.
  6. The A.V. Club
    80
    This all may sound ostentatious or showy, but it isn't: Her Majesty aims high and hits a difficult mark, delivering glorious, sometimes fantastic tales without ever getting boorish.
  7. Blender
    40
    Staggers under the unbearable preciousness of donkey-voiced singer Colin Meloy. [Sep 2003, p.122]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. Luke
    Apr 16, 2005
    10
    Tthe best album I have ever purchased for the sake of one song - "The Soldiering Life."
  2. TheCritic
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    Everyone out there, DO NOT LISTEN TO "President Bush" because all he does is say "crap" and doesn't even explain why he says so. Everyone out there, DO NOT LISTEN TO "President Bush" because all he does is say "crap" and doesn't even explain why he says so. I've been to a lot of his reviews and he embarrasses the website DO NOT LISTEN TO HIM… Expand
  4. VincentH
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    I could write an extremely long essay on how much the Decemberists mean to me and how obsessed I am with them. I won't get into it, but I could write an extremely long essay on how much the Decemberists mean to me and how obsessed I am with them. I won't get into it, but needless to say picking up this album from my local library one Fall day 3 years ago changed my life. I often have a difficult time choosing between this album and "Castaways and Cutouts", and my choice often changes, but right now it's this one. I would have to say personally that this was my favorite period of theirs musically, from 2002 (their 1st album) thru 2003 when they released this album and the 5-Song EP (which contains a few of their best songs). All the songs they made from this period are classic, with "Her Majesty..." being IMO, the best indie-pop album since "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea".… Expand
  5. AabraJ
    Aug 10, 2004
    9
    Excellent sophomore effort from this unique, uber-literate Portland, OR-based five piece. More tuneful and upbeat than "Castaways" without Excellent sophomore effort from this unique, uber-literate Portland, OR-based five piece. More tuneful and upbeat than "Castaways" without abandoning the soulful, mournful, sea-washed roots of their 2002 album.… Expand
  6. AsiaZ
    Jun 13, 2004
    8
    Very much worth the investment. The Decemberists are sure to become one of the most respected folk rock bands around, thanks to the steady Very much worth the investment. The Decemberists are sure to become one of the most respected folk rock bands around, thanks to the steady lyrical content and inspired melodies.… Expand
  7. moonman1994
    Dec 15, 2012
    7
    This album is good. It has it's moments and several songs are so good I listened to them over and over again. However the album as a whole isThis album is good. It has it's moments and several songs are so good I listened to them over and over again. However the album as a whole is lacking especially when compared to later Decemberists albums. It's worth the money but if you're thinking of getting this album as your first Decemberists album then I'd recommend you listen to one of the later albums first.… Expand
  8. Jake
    Oct 20, 2004
    0
    You've GOT to be kidding me. Insufferably pretentious horsesh-t.

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best Album of 2003
90
#90 Most Discussed Album of 2003
30
#30 Most Shared Album of 2003

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