Picaresque
by The Decemberists
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 115 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 127
  3. Negative: 9 out of 127

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  1. kheas
    Oct 9, 2017
    10
    Picaresque 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
  2. alternativeman7
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Picaresque 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!
  3. moonman1994
    Dec 15, 2012
    9
    Great 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!
  4. davenbettridge
    Nov 15, 2011
    9
    My 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.
  5. zvelf
    Apr 11, 2011
    10
    Picaresque 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.
  6. DangerZ.
    Nov 11, 2007
    8
    Mostly great, but has some weak points.
  7. stardust
    Jun 9, 2007
    10
    Beautiful music.
  8. TheCritic
    Jul 17, 2006
    10
    President 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.
  9. SAVAGETOAST
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    After 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!?
  10. hibb
    May 26, 2006
    8
    Definitely an improvement from Her Majesty, but after listening to it many times, I still can't say I like it better than Castaways. True, it's memorable, but the whale of a track (Mariner's Revenge) had me questioning why I like this band so much. The Engine Driver is probably my favorite song of theirs to date, however, making up for some of the over the top theatrics in Definitely an improvement from Her Majesty, but after listening to it many times, I still can't say I like it better than Castaways. True, it's memorable, but the whale of a track (Mariner's Revenge) had me questioning why I like this band so much. The Engine Driver is probably my favorite song of theirs to date, however, making up for some of the over the top theatrics in the second to last track.… Expand
  11. OliverC
    Feb 11, 2006
    10
    This band is amazing, i sort of feell like nothing else in the world matters when im listening to them...
  12. DanielK
    Jan 28, 2006
    10
    Spectacular!!!!
  13. AlexS
    Jan 1, 2006
    10
    this 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.
  14. Chris
    Dec 5, 2005
    9
    Definately 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.
  15. DrGoob
    Nov 14, 2005
    8
    A very decent album overall. 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' is outstanding.
  16. JettK
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    Haunting tunes, pictures running through your head, wonderful words to pick over. Yummy.
  17. DeboA
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    A theatrical Wonder! 'Picaresque' comes to life with vivid language and humor. One of the best albums of the year! Simply Beautiful.
  18. JosephK
    Sep 21, 2005
    9
    The lyrics are outstanding.
  19. KyleB
    Sep 15, 2005
    10
    80? Is that all? Talk about underrated.
  20. DavidM
    Sep 2, 2005
    9
    It's sad to see this drop out of the metacritic top 30, because to my ears, this is one of the ten best records of the year. Yes, the lead singer is a campy ham, but there's a true believers commitment to the traditionally styled folk numbers, and some of the pop numbers, especially the shattering, beautifully detailed AT THE BUS MALL and the truly boyant protest song 16 It's sad to see this drop out of the metacritic top 30, because to my ears, this is one of the ten best records of the year. Yes, the lead singer is a campy ham, but there's a true believers commitment to the traditionally styled folk numbers, and some of the pop numbers, especially the shattering, beautifully detailed AT THE BUS MALL and the truly boyant protest song 16 MILITARY WIVES, are amongst the very best songs of this year. It's fallen way down in rankings, but easily the superior of higher rated efforts by MIA, ANDREW BIRD, EELS, LCD SOUNDSYSTEM, GO BETWEENS, RY COODER, BRIGHT EYES, STARS any many others. And it's a lot of fun.… Expand
  21. Dale
    Aug 29, 2005
    10
    A big step forward from a very good band. Anyone that doesn't think this is an emotionally complex and impressive work of art either hasn't listened to it enough or...I dunno. One of the best albums of the year at least. I try to stop listening to this disc so I don't get tired of it but it keeps finding its way into the mix. I'm surprised and dissapointed it A big step forward from a very good band. Anyone that doesn't think this is an emotionally complex and impressive work of art either hasn't listened to it enough or...I dunno. One of the best albums of the year at least. I try to stop listening to this disc so I don't get tired of it but it keeps finding its way into the mix. I'm surprised and dissapointed it didn't get a higher metascore.… Expand
  22. RichardL
    Aug 21, 2005
    9
    A 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.
  23. DanB.
    Jun 26, 2005
    7
    As good or bad as their previous. Four or five good tracks, the rest is either filler (if you're not a big fan of the band) or goodness (if you are). I think I'm going to make a best-of of all three albums, cutting the slow, grating songs, and keeping the great ones. Love Engine Driver, Sporting Life, 16 Military Wives. ...oh and, excellent line by a commenter below: he would As good or bad as their previous. Four or five good tracks, the rest is either filler (if you're not a big fan of the band) or goodness (if you are). I think I'm going to make a best-of of all three albums, cutting the slow, grating songs, and keeping the great ones. Love Engine Driver, Sporting Life, 16 Military Wives. ...oh and, excellent line by a commenter below: he would not be in the band if he hadn't started it. I don't agree but, it's funny.… Expand
  24. jake
    Jun 23, 2005
    9
    this 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.
  25. Matt
    Jun 9, 2005
    9
    Combines 60s stylings with unique vocals and lyrics. Great album!
  26. ChadS
    Jun 9, 2005
    10
    The most underrated band of the nineties was A House. I think The Decemberists might be hip to "I Am the Greatest". "The Engine Driver" sounds like the best song David Couse never wrote. I am in love with this song. Colin Meloy even sounds a little like Couse. "Picaresque" is the sort of literate and melodic album I thought nobody was making anymore. "16 Military Wives" is the sort of The most underrated band of the nineties was A House. I think The Decemberists might be hip to "I Am the Greatest". "The Engine Driver" sounds like the best song David Couse never wrote. I am in love with this song. Colin Meloy even sounds a little like Couse. "Picaresque" is the sort of literate and melodic album I thought nobody was making anymore. "16 Military Wives" is the sort of song Dar Williams used to write when she was brilliant. But I'm not suggesting that Meloy's songs are purely imitative of these artists. "Picaresque" will no doubt attract attention from the major labels. "The Engine Driver" is almost "Wonderwall"-catchy.… Expand
  27. matta
    May 26, 2005
    9
    Wow, 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.
  28. SheaE
    May 23, 2005
    9
    I'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.
  29. AubreeH
    May 11, 2005
    9
    This album stacks up with the Decemberists other works very well. It is enjoyable for everyone and probably the most accesible of their albums to the newest listener and yet still lovable to the most devoted long time fan. The songs are catchy, inspired, and beautiful. The only downside is that Meloy's voice is downplayed by the music at some moments but even this can help some who This album stacks up with the Decemberists other works very well. It is enjoyable for everyone and probably the most accesible of their albums to the newest listener and yet still lovable to the most devoted long time fan. The songs are catchy, inspired, and beautiful. The only downside is that Meloy's voice is downplayed by the music at some moments but even this can help some who don't particuarly love his vocals. overall it's wonderful and should be heard by all!… Expand
  30. JustinF
    May 10, 2005
    10
    This 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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Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Album of 2005
58
#58 Most Discussed Album of 2005
73
#73 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    [Meloy's] lyrics skip across history... and overflow with mellifluous rhymes. [25 Mar 2005, p.71]
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Alternative Press
    90
    The 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]
See all critic reviews »