Interesting that someone should post here after such a prolonged absence.

I'm an older indie music fan (44 yrs old). The Decemberists are the first band that I have loved since Talking Heads back in the 70's-80's. They are among my top 5 fav bands of all time. I'm not saying that they are among the top bands of all time, only that they are one of my all-time favorites. I own their entire catalog, and have seen them once, and have tickets to see 'em again in April.

I was a bit non-plussed on my first listen to the Crane Wife. It seem to contain an amalgam of the songs I had least like from prior Decemberists albums (eg. Odalisque, the Tain, etc). However, having now lived with the album for several months I think it's probably the most sophisticated and interesting of all their albums. Not only do I like it better than I originally did, I now like the earlier songs that I hadn't been as fond of. Odalisque is now one of my favorite songs.

The only weak song, imo, is When the War Came. I think it's uninteresting musically, and thematically obvious. 16 Military Wives was a much more clever, more 'universal' treatment of American heavyhandedness abroad, particularly coupled with their video of the same.

The Island, imo, may be the best song they've ever done. I hear echoes of Paul McCartney and Wings, Jethro Tull, Yes, filtered through the Decemberists own musical sensibility. It's fascinating to see the keyboards come front and center.

I don't think the Decemberists are for everyone, but I've gone from real anxiety about what 'major label' status would do to them, to real excitement about their ongoing growth and potential. And it's been a long time since a band had made me feel that way.

That's a great post kendo. I fell in love with this album and haven't stopped listening to it ever since. Like many others, I also love the three-part "The Island" but I also love the groove and feel to "The Perfect Crime 2." It has a cool feel and the hi-hat stabs work well. I had stated before and I still think this, but The Crane Wife is the best thing they have done. I am so happy that this special album landed in 2006 and I can only hope that they continue to get better from here.

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I also love the groove and feel to "The Perfect Crime 2." It has a cool feel and the hi-hat stabs work well.

Did they steal that hook from Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime," or from Steely Dan?

I strongly recommend the npr.org site All Songs Considered. They have two full Decemberists concerts. Their first is the March of the Mistlethrushes Tour, after, Picaresque, and the second is just about a month old, touring Crane Wife. I miss Laura Veirs' vocals on Yankee Bayonet, but otherwise, it's just great.

I will definetely check that site out. Thanks for the suggestion.