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The King Is Dead - The Decemberists
The King Is Dead Image
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Portland-based band returns with less rock and more atmospheric, orchestral arrangements with a little bit of country-folk thrown in as well.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jan 21, 2011
    100
    The Decemberists blend rock and folk well (there's even a nod to the famous Raggle Taggle Gypsy Man in a riff on Rox In The Box) and the songwriting crafts pastoral and emotional imaginery into tight-knit, attractive songs. This album is an unexpected treat.
  2. Q Magazine
    Feb 1, 2011
    60
    The Decemberists have never sounded more ordinary. [Feb. 2011, p. 114]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 18, 2011
    20
    No, at best, The King Is Dead is a patchwork of genre exercises, giving listeners little more than a chance to play "spot the influence." But even then it fails, for it taps only a very shallow stream of tradition, focusing on a series of folk facsimiles from the 70s and 80s that never quite add up to the real thing.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. buzzlight
    10
    After a few more listens, I've got to up my score to a 10. This is a highly addictive album that resonates like a folk version of early REM albums (well stated reviewer altinterstate). Rox in the Box, Don't Carry it All and Dear Avery prove their worth, but so does every song on this album. This band gels perfectly with these tunes..I'd say their best effort yet and a good recovery from hazards.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. Peaver
    10
    It seems I remember a lot of questioning when the Boss put out the River. Like, What is he doing? and Where's the Jersey shore sound? Turned out the Nashville influenced River was a great album! So, is The King is Dead. Missing the thematic schemes the Decemberists are known for, the album is a collection of cross-over mountain music songs. That ring through the country side with historic stories and why we Care! This is not Mark Knophler getting lost in the OPRY. Although, there might be a little to much harmonica, the signature sea shanty lilt can be found in a couple cuts. The main point here is once again we hear the outstanding lyrics of Meloy in our heads as we fall asleep at night! Enjoy this album, it's much better than the first listen reveals!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. FOXGEAR
    9
    Well, The Decemberists new release, "The King Is Dead", is a countrified- folk rock wonder. This album is just fantastic. After the first few seconds I was reminded of Tarkio, an alternative country band that Colin Meloy headed before The Decemberists. A fantastic album, not a single weak track on it.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes

See all 14 User Reviews

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