The Decemberists: Indie Folk Rock Storytellers

The Decemberists are an American indie rock band known for their literary lyrics, folk-influenced instrumentation, and ambitious concept albums. Formed in Portland, Oregon, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2011 album The King Is Dead, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Early Career

The Decemberists formed in 2000 around singer and songwriter Colin Meloy. Their early releases, including the 2002 album Castaways and Cutouts on the independent label Hush, established their signature style of narrative-driven indie folk rock, rich with historical and maritime themes.

Breakthrough

The band's profile grew significantly with their 2005 major-label debut, Picaresque, on Capitol Records. Their 2006 album The Crane Wife, inspired by a Japanese folk tale, further cemented their critical reputation and commercial appeal, reaching number 35 on the Billboard 200.

Key tracks

O Valencia! - This energetic rock track from The Crane Wife became a fan favorite and a staple of their live shows.

The Mariner's Revenge Song - An epic, nearly nine-minute folk ballad showcasing the band's theatrical storytelling prowess.

Down by the Water - A driving, folk-rock single from The King Is Dead that earned the band Grammy nominations.

Make You Better - A more straightforward, melodic rock song from their 2015 album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.

Throughout their career, The Decemberists have been celebrated for their album-length concepts, such as the 2009 rock opera The Hazards of Love. After a hiatus following their 2018 album I'll Be Your Girl, the band returned with new music, continuing their exploration of intricate indie rock and folk traditions.

Artists with a similar narrative and folk-rock style include Fleet Foxes, who share a harmony-rich, pastoral indie folk sound. The Shins offer another perspective on literate, melodic indie rock from the 2000s. The ambitious, thematic scope of My Morning Jacket also finds common ground with The Decemberists' work.

The music of The Decemberists is regularly featured on a variety of independent and alternative rock radio stations, including online indie rock streams and classic alternative FM stations that champion narrative-driven songwriting.

Listeners can discover the distinctive indie folk rock of The Decemberists through the radio stations featured on our website.