The King Is Dead
by The Decemberists
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jan 18, 2011
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 74
  3. Negative: 4 out of 74
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  1. bigj452
    Jan 22, 2011
    1
    It's so hard to be the Decemberists these days. They tried too hard with "Hazards of Love" and now they tried not to try hard with "King Is Dead". Solid opening song and last song but the middle is filled with pure crap. Its corny and unimaginative and basically celebrates everything I don't like about the Decemberists. Sorry to be so negative I just was really excited for this album andIt's so hard to be the Decemberists these days. They tried too hard with "Hazards of Love" and now they tried not to try hard with "King Is Dead". Solid opening song and last song but the middle is filled with pure crap. Its corny and unimaginative and basically celebrates everything I don't like about the Decemberists. Sorry to be so negative I just was really excited for this album and it really let me down. Made me run to "The Crane Wife". Now that's a masterpiece.… Collapse

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. Mojo
    Apr 12, 2011
    80
    Portland's college-rock heirs downsize with Peter Buck-featuring sixth album. [Feb. 2011, p. 106]
  2. cokemachineglow
    Mar 9, 2011
    77
    A good few years on from the rise and partial Fall of the Decemberists, Meloy and Co. are managing, still, to carry the fire.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 1, 2011
    60
    The Decemberists have never sounded more ordinary. [Feb. 2011, p. 114]
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