User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 127 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 115 out of 127
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Mixed: 3 out of 127
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Negative: 9 out of 127
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DavidMSep 2, 2005
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FrankApr 23, 2005Quirky, funky and catchy - just perfect music for a leg of a daily commute or time to enjoy on a weekend. Never heard of them before "16 Military Wives" got serious airplay on local KNRK, and had to get the cd, the song stuck in my brain too well, deep lyrics and a catchy rhythm. Even better is that they are local to my adopted city, so hopefully I can catch a show someday.
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BobCMay 6, 2005Creative lyrics, unusual combination of instruments produces music which keep bringing me back for more.
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ChadSJun 9, 2005
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hibbMay 26, 2006
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VanessaVMar 23, 2005As a huge Decemberists fan, I cannot possibly be any more thrilled with this album. It is truly a masterpiece from start to finish.
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WillaimBMar 26, 2005
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starwaxMar 28, 2005another brilliant album from a brilliant band, i can listen to 'The mariner's revenge song' all day long...
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MikePMar 31, 2005Their best album, top to bottom, and welcome reassurance that there is amazing, unique music out there--if you can find it.
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AdamCMar 30, 2005Best Decemberists so far. Unbelievable CD... even better live!!
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MichaelAApr 10, 2005
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ConnorWApr 1, 2005Album is a whimsical, pleasant listen with occasionally energetic rockers such as "Infanta," "Sixteen Military Wives," and the epic "Mariner's Revenge" (though it pales in comparison to their 17 minute "The Tain"). Certainly worth buying, but pales next to the live show, where the music takes on an entirely new nature.
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ChloéApr 20, 2005Absolutely amazing CD: no weak tracks, catchiness, drama, fun. IMO best of 2005 so far and possibly untoppable.
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JustinFMay 10, 2005This is a great direction for The Decemberists; the cleaner sound has tied together the clever lyrics and unusual voice of Colin Meloy and the wonderfully crafted ensemble of the band.
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ToddVMay 5, 2005This album is very creative and Colin Meloy has a brillantly unique voice and singing style. This is true music...screw pop!
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jakeJun 23, 2005this album is one of the best albums of this year. With Cris Walla prducing it, the decembrists have created a simple but complex album which is hearfelt.
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RichardLAug 21, 2005A logical continuation to the style being developed by the Decemberists. The songs retain the flavor of the previous albums, adding more and more elaborate and distinctive instrumentation.
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AlexSJan 1, 2006this is by far the greatest album of 2005. I have no idea how you can dislike this music. And stop comparing it to neutral milk hotel, they are completley diffrent. definite 10/10 it doesnt compare to castaways and cutouts, but C&C was one of the greatest cds ever.
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DanielKJan 28, 2006Spectacular!!!!
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stardustJun 9, 2007Beautiful music.
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DrGoobNov 14, 2005A very decent album overall. 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' is outstanding.
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DeboAOct 23, 2005A theatrical Wonder! 'Picaresque' comes to life with vivid language and humor. One of the best albums of the year! Simply Beautiful.
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JackMar 24, 2005It's as strong as "Her Magjesty" I give the decemberists credit for being consistant and original. I hate when people make comparisons to Neutral Milk Hotel. I just don't see it.
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thiagozeroMar 27, 2005this is a very good album, their best and no need to comment..
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markfMar 29, 2005
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RobertRApr 1, 2005It's impossible to finish The Sporting Life without a smile on your face.
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JimBApr 13, 2005It's great but my fav is still the 5 songep by these guys
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NeilGApr 24, 2005Colin Meloy's a singular talent,the Decemberists are a band the USA should cherish and treasure and this record is the zenith of their career so far.So yes I did like it !!!!
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SamFApr 26, 2005Best album in my entire collection and the band's best yet, surpassing even Castaways 'The Infanta', 'We Both Go Down Together', 'The Sporting Life' and 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' are trully brilliant. 'The Bagman's Gambit' is also high quality. In fact this whole album is of exceptionally high quality.
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AndyWApr 28, 2005This is the first Decemberists album I've purchased so I heard very little before this one. To me they have a refreshing sound in an indie market that's been incredibly boring for a while now.
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AubreeHMay 11, 2005
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MattJun 9, 2005Combines 60s stylings with unique vocals and lyrics. Great album!
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DaleAug 29, 2005
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JosephKSep 21, 2005The lyrics are outstanding.
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OliverCFeb 11, 2006This band is amazing, i sort of feell like nothing else in the world matters when im listening to them...
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TheCriticJul 17, 2006President Bush you stupid bowl of elephant Pee!!! The Decemberists are a great band and are very creative. You DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT if all you can say is "crap" and can't even back up your an opinion. If I was your father, I would take a whip and whip you into shape or tape headphones to your head and MAKE you listen to good music.
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JettKOct 23, 2005Haunting tunes, pictures running through your head, wonderful words to pick over. Yummy.
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ChrisDec 5, 2005Definately a cd you can listen to all the way through without skipping a song. One of the best cds of the year if not the best. Catchy songs mixed with thoughtful lyrics. They don't miss a beat and do so while topping their previous cd.
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ChristopherBMar 25, 2005An awesome follow up -- the sound is even bigger and fuller. The musicianship of The Decemberists is incredible. Awesome lyrics too. Once more, I'm impressed with this band and I can't wait to see them live again.
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JustinCMar 27, 2005Perhaps the best album of 2005 so far.
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JeffRMar 27, 2005Interesting, full bodied music. Nice vocal hooks. Wood definitely recommend.
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ericbMar 28, 2005The Decemberists are the most promising indie band in some time. I predict they will outlast almost all of today's 'it' bands
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BrianMMar 28, 2005A good album and solid follow up to Her Majesty. The first track is excellent and starts the album off well, however, the last couple of songs drag a bit.
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SheaEMay 23, 2005I've been a Decemberists fan since 5 songs and they never dissapoint. This release contains some of my favorite (Engine Driver) and least favorite (The Mariner's Revenge Song) Diecembests songs.
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mattaMay 26, 2005Wow, another great album from the Decemberists. In fact, there is probably their best, edging out Her Majesty. A band like this, that gets progressively better with each album, is a rare and wonderful thing indeed.
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DanB.Jun 26, 2005
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KyleBSep 15, 200580? Is that all? Talk about underrated.
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SAVAGETOASTJun 27, 2006After listening to the cd i thought...holy shit! The lyrics to mariners revenge song blew me away, and so did this album. i think i found another great band to follow. CAN I GET A FUCK YA FROM ALL THE INDIE ROCKERS!?
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DangerZ.Nov 11, 2007Mostly great, but has some weak points.
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Oct 9, 2017Picaresque came out in March of 2005 under the Kill Rock Stars Label. Written by lead singer Colin Meloy, the album itself was named after a style of fiction that ‘depicts the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero’. It is an album that could be considered folk rock or indie rock but even that doesn’t do it justice. To me, it’s just good. for more: http://wp.me/p93it6-w3
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Apr 11, 2011Picaresque is The Decemberists' best album to date. Meloy and company generate memorable melodies with great hooks and delightful word play. There are almost no weak songs on this album.
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Nov 15, 2011My favourite songs on the album are: 1) The Mariner's Revenge Song 2) The Engine Driver and 3) The Infanta 4) We Both Go Down Together. The Mariner's Revenge Song is in fact one of my most favourite songs of all time, telling an awesome story with a wicked melody. Picaresque is an awesome album.
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Dec 15, 2012Great album with several really good songs my favorites being 16 Military Wives and The Infanta. Both of which have excellent lyrics and instrumentation. This album also has a variety of sounds on it so you won't be bored and most of songs have a great story if you really listen to them especially The Mariner's Revenge Song. Well worth the money!
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Feb 16, 2016Picaresque is my personal favorite Decemberists album, it balances all they do better than any of their other albums: you get the acoustic ballad Engine Driver, a fun one with 16 Military Wives, and the amazing story on The Mariner's Revenge Song. It's my favorite and I keep coming back to it time and time again, don't miss out!
Awards & Rankings
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Entertainment Weekly[Meloy's] lyrics skip across history... and overflow with mellifluous rhymes. [25 Mar 2005, p.71]
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Picaresque is a triumph of theatrical imagination: the culmination of the Decemberists' steady march to greatness in four years of enriched storytelling and folk-rock invention.
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Alternative PressThe more realized updates of [Her Majesty] that crowd out the backed of Picaresque reveal a wit so bizarre and vaudevillian beauty so ultimately endearing that by the end, Meloy's sprawling form of theatrical folk has us all. [Apr 2005, p.116]