Decemberists, The - Picaresque [2LP/ Ltd Ed Black Ice Vinyl/ Indie Exclusive]

The Decemberists know that the psychology of a culture at war is complex; that historical archetypes can inform the masses on current events far better than the evening news; and, perhaps most importantly, that life is ultimately a spectacular and colorful pageant. They remind us that, on any given day, we might rub shoulders with rogue spies and runaway prostitutes, child monarchs and vengeful mariners, boy ghosts, couples contemplating suicide, cannibals and drowning angels. This existence is indeed a spectacle to be revered.

In August of 2004, Rachel Blumberg, Jenny Conlee, Chris Funk, Colin Meloy, and Nate Query set up shop at a former Baptist church in Portland, Oregon. With co-producer Chris Walla at the controls, the five musicians collectively known as The Decemberists emerged three weeks later with the bulk of the work completed for Picaresque, one of their most ambitious and realized efforts to date.

This special 2LP pressing includes both the complete Picaresque LP and the companion Picaresqueties EP.

Picaresque
A1 The Infanta 5:07
A2 We Both Go Down Together 3:04
A3 Eli, The Barrowboy 3:11
A4 The Sporting Life 4:38
B1 The Bagman's Gambit 7:02
B2 From My Own True Love (Lost At Sea) 3:42
B3 16 Military Wives 4:52
B4 The Engine Driver 4:15
C1 On The Bus Mall 6:04
C2 Mariner's Revenge Song8:45
C3 Of Angels And Angles 2:27

Picaresqueties
D1 The Bandit Queen (With "Dialogue" And "Tap Dancing") 4:19
D2 Bridges And Balloons 3:13
D3 Constantinople 3:34
D4 The Kingdom Of Spain (Version Prescott) 3:43
D5 The Bandit Queen (Version Prescott) 4:26