The Tain EP

Everyone knows the Decemberists as being a sort of light indie-pop/folk band, with slightly odd songs and a slightly sunny feel. Not the sort of band to do a mythic concept album, right? Wrong. In what may be their best release so far, the Decemberists released "The Tain," a rich musical reinterpretation of Irish legend.It's basically one song in five movements, starting off with a quietly sneering song from the "Crone." It then switches to a dark mix of bass and electronic instrumentation, before changing again to a stately, mournful acoustic ballad, where Meloy's cries of "On this stretch of ground/I'll lay me down" are echoed by the "Chorus of Waifs."The fourth movement opens with Rachel Blumberg's soft singing, over a muted Hammond ballad. The final part of this musical tapestry is mostly a conversation between a woman and daughter, a percussive rock song that snaps and snarls, before ending with another word from the Crone."Tain Bo Cualnge" was the inspiration for this EP -- it was originally a story about cattle raids and legendary heroes in ancient Ulster. The Decemberists only loosely retell it, through offbeat rock songs and peculiar ballads. What's really striking is the musical reinvention -- nowhere are the more charming tunes of their full-length albums. This is dark, it's rock, and it's wonderfully eerie.Meloy and Co. don't let the dark tone of the old myth get away from them -- in the middle of the fourth part, they burst into a kind of Celtic carnival tune. I'm not sure what it's supposed to signify, except that it sticks closer to the musical traditions of Ireland. The writing only falters at the beginning; the first part is pretty vulgar, and lacks the mythic tone of the following songs.Colin Meloy seems to have found his vocal niche here. While he just sounds odd in light songs, here he sounds like the long-lost brother of Billy Corgan. It's a sound that suits him. He sounds particularly good when singing intensely, drawing the word "blood" out to something like "Bloo-uh-ud!" And he fits against a backdrop of sharp percussion, solid riffs and basslines, as well as some majestic waves of Wurlitzer, Rhodes, and piano.In "The Tain" EP, the Decemberists seem to have found what kind of music they do best. Let's hope Meloy and his band stick to this richer, more majestic sound.

An 18.5 minute ballad by my favorite folksters, that borders on indie! As usual, a lot of different instruments required with 4/5th male vocals! Thanx!

speaks to that part of the soul that is looking for strength, looking for answers, and moving on with or without it

The only complaint I have is the cd is to short,a full cd would have been really good. Six more tracks would have been great.

If u want a nice journey, with shades of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, Jethro Tull, Death Cab for Cutie, and a pinch of stoner rock, then you will like this. This may be the best 99 cents song I've ever bought.

"The Tain" is an excellent work of Progressive Rock. Made me feel like I was in my teens again. Keep up the great work Decemberists!

not for everyone

This CD is just plain TERRIBLE!!! A 4 part rock opera about the Tain that has absolutly nothing to do with The Tain??? Did they even bother to read the original??? Don't waste your time or money.