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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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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ChadSJun 9, 2005
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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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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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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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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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thiagozeroMar 27, 2005this is a very good album, their best and no need to comment..
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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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DaleAug 29, 2005
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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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JustinCMar 27, 2005Perhaps the best album of 2005 so far.
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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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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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DavidMSep 2, 2005
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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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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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MichaelAApr 10, 2005
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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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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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markfMar 29, 2005
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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]