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The Decemberists — The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid
Album: The Hazards of Love
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1171









Released: 2009
Length: 6:27
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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[Colin:]
Mother I can hear your foot-fall now
Soft disturbance in the dead-fall how
It proceeds you like a black smoke pall
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you delivered me from danger then
Pulled my cradle from the reedy glen
Swore to save me from the world of men

Still the wanting comes in waves
In waves
And waves
And the wanting comes in waves
And the wanting comes in waves

And I want this night
And I want this night
Oh

[Shara:]
How I made you
I wrought you, I pulled you
From war I labored you
From cancer I cradled you
And now

This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid

Remember when I found you
The miseries that hounded you
And I gave you motion
Anointed with lotions
And now

This is how I am repaid
This is how I am repaid

[Colin:]
Mother hear this proposition right
Grant me freedom to enjoy this night
And I'll return to you at break of light
For the wanting comes in waves
And waves
And waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
Still the wanting comes in waves
And you owe me life
And you owe me life

[Shara:]
And if I grant you this favor to hand you
Your life for the evening
I will retake by morning
And so
Consider it your debt repaid
Consider it your debt repaid
Repaid
Repaid
Comments (154)add comment
The guitar riff seems borrowed; Shinedown I think.
Posted 1 year ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
Interesting, I didn't know the Decemberists sound like this. I would love to see them play some day (and I live in Portland, Oregon :) 

btw, note to Bill in the booth - any chance you could include a link to the tabs for songs? I love playing along with the music. The lyrics are great, too! 
Posted 1 year ago by albert11    [ Reply ]
Do yourself a favor and listen to this entrie album from start to finish while reading the lyrics, just like you did when you were 15. Watching a youtube video of the entire show is also good because of the visual theatrics. Enjoy!
Posted 1 year ago by Kajukenbo    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
WTF?
yes, seems a strange combination but we saw Andrew Bird and Calexico - quite a show

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

As Casey Kasem might say, "ponderous, man!"




You forgot the second part of his comment - "Ponderous, man. Just Fucking ponderous!" But that doesn't apply to this song.
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Tippster wrote:

Man this Concept Album/Rock Opera was hard to listen to.  We walked out 1/2 way through the concert for it, but hey - were mainly there for the opening act: Andrew Bird.




WTF?
Posted 2 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 newbolddrive wrote:

I'm just not sure you can listen to this song on it's own and get it. You have to hear the whole rock opera. 



Agree--the whole album is where the appreciation happens
Posted 2 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
I still remember the first time I heard this. A Saturday afternoon on RP in 2009. Still a Great song.
Posted 3 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Outstanding! Thanks, RP!
Posted 4 years ago by szasz    [ Reply ]
I'm just not sure you can listen to this song on it's own and get it. You have to hear the whole rock opera. 
Posted 4 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
I like the female vocalists on this album - the guys voice leaves me cold though
Posted 4 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
Man this Concept Album/Rock Opera was hard to listen to.  We walked out 1/2 way through the concert for it, but hey - were mainly there for the opening act: Andrew Bird.
Posted 4 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
As Casey Kasem might say, "ponderous, man!"
Posted 5 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 jimmunn wrote:
Man, this just goes on forever, doesn't it...

 
Yeah, buddy!!
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Man, this just goes on forever, doesn't it...

Posted 5 years ago by jimmunn    [ Reply ]
 newbolddrive wrote:
I first heard this album pulling an all-nighter for work. It was 4 am and Bill played it from start to finish. It was fabulous. 
 
It's nice to know somebody is making 'rock operas' again. I always liked having a narrative throughout the whole album. Often pretty weird stuff (Tommy, Lamb Lies Down, et al.), but it's nice to hear a theme running through.
c.
Posted 5 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
I first heard this album pulling an all-nighter for work. It was 4 am and Bill played it from start to finish. It was fabulous. 
Posted 5 years ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
WHOA! i LIKE IT!!!! Haven't heard that Decemberist tune before.
Posted 6 years ago by cavemanleong    [ Reply ]
Challenging. I like it.
Posted 6 years ago by ashtmclean    [ Reply ]
This is hard on the ears!
Posted 6 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
 gubbin wrote:
9->10.  I saw this performed at Marymoor Park in 2008.  This recording captures the fire and triumph in what I experienced.
DO NOT DOUBLE CROSS THE ANGRY WOMAN.
(And we only went to see Andrew Bird, who was really good.)
(And the cover of Heart's "Crazy on You" was for the gods.  Really!)

 
(And the cover of Heart's "Crazy on You" was for the gods.  Really!)  ABSOLUTELY!!  I only saw on YouTube but what a set of lungs!  Wonderful cover.
Posted 6 years ago by nebbie    [ Reply ]
 jtherieau wrote:
Yikes. Then I looked up the background.

"The Hazards of Love is a rock opera, with all songs contributing to a unified narrative, similar to the use of recurring stories on the band's previous album, The Crane Wife. The plot is a love story: a woman named Margaret (voiced by Stark) falls in love with a shape-shifting boreal forest dweller named William (voiced by Meloy). William's mother, the jealous Forest Queen (voiced by Nova), and the villainous Rake (also voiced by Meloy) bring conflict to the album's story arc.

While riding through the taiga, Margaret finds an injured fawn. When she stops to help it, the fawn changes into a young man named William, and the two make love ("The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone)"). Margaret soon learns she is pregnant ("A Bower Scene") and flees to the forest to find William ("Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)"). William comes to Margaret and proclaims his love for her ("The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)"), but a short, mysterious instrumental announces the threat of William's mother, the Forest Queen ("The Queen's Approach") and the end of the first act.

William and Margaret reminisce about their first meeting and anticipate the birth of their child ("Isn't It a Lovely Night?") when they are discovered by the Forest Queen. William begs the Queen to allow him to be with Margaret, but the Queen accuses him of being ungrateful, pointing out that she rescued him from the human world when he was a baby and bestowed on him immortality. Their exchange continues until the Queen resolves to allow William one night as a mortal man with Margaret, but afterwards reclaim him forever ("The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid"). Another short instrumental ("An Interlude") marks the end of the second act."

Double yikes!!!



 
I love her powerful voice.  Want to hear more.  Love the story, picked up a lot on my own but appreciate your cliff notes so to speak.
Posted 6 years ago by nebbie    [ Reply ]
Yikes. Then I looked up the background.

"The Hazards of Love is a rock opera, with all songs contributing to a unified narrative, similar to the use of recurring stories on the band's previous album, The Crane Wife. The plot is a love story: a woman named Margaret (voiced by Stark) falls in love with a shape-shifting boreal forest dweller named William (voiced by Meloy). William's mother, the jealous Forest Queen (voiced by Nova), and the villainous Rake (also voiced by Meloy) bring conflict to the album's story arc.

While riding through the taiga, Margaret finds an injured fawn. When she stops to help it, the fawn changes into a young man named William, and the two make love ("The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone)"). Margaret soon learns she is pregnant ("A Bower Scene") and flees to the forest to find William ("Won't Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)"). William comes to Margaret and proclaims his love for her ("The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)"), but a short, mysterious instrumental announces the threat of William's mother, the Forest Queen ("The Queen's Approach") and the end of the first act.

William and Margaret reminisce about their first meeting and anticipate the birth of their child ("Isn't It a Lovely Night?") when they are discovered by the Forest Queen. William begs the Queen to allow him to be with Margaret, but the Queen accuses him of being ungrateful, pointing out that she rescued him from the human world when he was a baby and bestowed on him immortality. Their exchange continues until the Queen resolves to allow William one night as a mortal man with Margaret, but afterwards reclaim him forever ("The Wanting Comes in Waves/Repaid"). Another short instrumental ("An Interlude") marks the end of the second act."

Double yikes!!!


Posted 6 years ago by jtherieau    [ Reply ]
Didn't recognize this when it came on but found I had graded it a solid 6. Listening now, I've upgraded to a 7. I like this.
Posted 6 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
yuck what a joke this "singer" is, time to vacuum the dusty corners and turn off my essential RP (psd isn't working : (

ooh Beta! that's nice too
Posted 6 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
If you really want to appreciate this song, read Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells."  I've always thought Poe was as much musician as poet.


Posted 6 years ago by TigerStrong    [ Reply ]
They tricked me. The middle part was great!
Posted 6 years ago by inbagt    [ Reply ]
9->10.  I saw this performed at Marymoor Park in 2008.  This recording captures the fire and triumph in what I experienced.
DO NOT DOUBLE CROSS THE ANGRY WOMAN.
(And we only went to see Andrew Bird, who was really good.)
(And the cover of Heart's "Crazy on You" was for the gods.  Really!)
Posted 6 years ago by gubbin    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:
Pretentious crap.
 
I must admit, I don't like this song as much as I did before.  4

Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Pretentious crap.
Posted 13 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
If you like this song, you should check out the live performance on the Jools Holland show.  Scorching guitar, didn't even really appreciate it on the studio version.  He's got some pitch problems but she really kicks it.   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOEsVMvWz04&feature=PlayList&p=65088D17926105B1&index=0&playnext=1
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
Palladia had the Decemberists on one of there live festival broadcasts.  They performed this and it was quite good.  I would go see them play live based on that performance.  They were actually pretty heavy.
 
There are some great performance clips at thier web site as well.
Posted 13 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
The Song part "The wanting..." is cool, but the Repaid-part simply sucks, annoying voice of that girl. And on her climax I get bleeding ears...
Posted 13 years ago by matz    [ Reply ]
 F1 wrote:
{#Puke} horrible singing, horrible guitar. total crap.
 

Sounds bout right.{#Yes}
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
 tutakea wrote:
how NOT to love this song is over my limits. such a gem!
 
Exactly! I can play this song on and on and love it!

Posted 13 years ago by Balthazar    [ Reply ]
how NOT to love this song is over my limits. such a gem!
Posted 13 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
there are parts of this i like a lot, yet also parts i can't stand.
Posted 13 years ago by soulcollision    [ Reply ]
Decongestants would kill this band.
Posted 13 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
beginning sounds just like "She's a Rainbow" (Rolling Stones)
Posted 13 years ago by Alyssa    [ Reply ]
Airplane.
Posted 13 years ago by chamrousse1450    [ Reply ]
"reedy glen"
"anointed you with lotions"
"break of light"

Trying to channel Keats, perhaps?
Posted 14 years ago by FlatCat    [ Reply ]
I gave it a "4" only because the 4-votes seemed under-represented (upgraded from a "2").

Posted 14 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
 rickhoran wrote:
ok. i have listened to this song. i considered myself to have repaid my debt to society.
 
{#Lol}  I happen to like this piece, but I can understand how others might find it an ordeal!

Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
Palladia had the Decemberists on one of there live festival broadcasts.  They performed this and it was quite good.  I would go see them play live based on that performance.  They were actually pretty heavy.
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
What's the Rollings Stones song that sounds (in the intro) like the part this guy sings along with the keyboards?

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
ok. i have listened to this song. i considered myself to have repaid my debt to society.
Posted 14 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
Please make the pain stop.....no more of this horrible crap
Posted 14 years ago by ShinyTop    [ Reply ]
mute
Posted 14 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
{#Puke} horrible singing, horrible guitar. total crap.
Posted 14 years ago by F1    [ Reply ]
Giving it an 8 on Shara's vocals alone. {#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]
nice eclectic one
Posted 14 years ago by spiritintosoul    [ Reply ]
Loving this. 

Gonna run out and get this record
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
These guys were in Sydney AU recently as part of the festival of Sydney. I went and saw them. Damn they are excellent.
Posted 14 years ago by MrCaps    [ Reply ]
Thanks, from across the room listening on my Mac I thought it might be PJ Harvey...
 Frater_Kork wrote:
Damn, what pipes she has!
Does she yell the paint off stuff in Lavender Diamond as well?

(edit)
My bad! Its Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond.
 


Posted 14 years ago by dc_zee    [ Reply ]
Really strong!
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Saw this live - it was interesting and non-traditional...this was part of a story that the album is based on, dress, music style and so on...I prefer other bodies of work by the band and Colin...
Posted 14 years ago by kidkool    [ Reply ]
De no ser por la técnica de la voz masculina, el tema iría bien pero ... les falta un buen cantante.

 hdaisy wrote:


yeah it is very nerve jangling int the office!
 


Posted 14 years ago by Strada4Ever    [ Reply ]
Unas clases de técnica vocal!! Pero ya!!

Posted 14 years ago by Strada4Ever    [ Reply ]
 hdaisy wrote:

yeah it is very nerve jangling int the office!
 

Bah! I kept my finger on the dial an turned it UP (in my office) every time the Queen yelled.
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
bleeeccchhhhh!  Puke
Posted 14 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
7 {#Arrow} 8

Posted 14 years ago by dggeek    [ Reply ]
WOW MOM

Posted 14 years ago by FariaFride    [ Reply ]
 VicEdee wrote:
please NEVER play this song again!
(we have had to SHUT off Radio Paradise in our office, which we have never had to do)
it is un-listenable in our office.......
 

yeah it is very nerve jangling int the office!
Posted 14 years ago by hdaisy    [ Reply ]
 muxz0r wrote:
i dont like this song
 
i do

Posted 14 years ago by Fredrikson    [ Reply ]
I guess I need to tune in more — first time i ever heard this.  i thought it was a duet of rufus wainwright and pj harvey, which was intriguing on the surface....
Posted 14 years ago by danbarry    [ Reply ]
Damn, what pipes she has!
Does she yell the paint off stuff in Lavender Diamond as well?

(edit)
My bad! Its Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond.
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]

I like it just fine


Posted 14 years ago by improvas    [ Reply ]
 drews wrote:
Reminded me of Muse, but without the exaggerated whiney voice; great stuff
 
Far beyond Muse

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
please NEVER play this song again!
(we have had to SHUT off Radio Paradise in our office, which we have never had to do)
it is un-listenable in our office.......
Posted 14 years ago by VicEdee    [ Reply ]
I do not like this band, no Sir!{#Frustrated}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
I bought this CD—VERY creative, hot energy, highly recommended.
Posted 14 years ago by Rafter101    [ Reply ]
Reminded me of Muse, but without the exaggerated whiney voice; great stuff
Posted 14 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
Crank it - the guitar bridge and playing only feels right that way. I enjoy this entire CD and discovered it right here on RP.
Posted 14 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 papaman wrote:
I sense this is not going to end in a good way.
 

Turning down the volume helped enormously.
Posted 14 years ago by F1    [ Reply ]
I sense this is not going to end in a good way.
Posted 14 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
 lysisphere wrote:
You know, I like The Decemberists.  I like HIS voice.  I like the way they rock. 
This woman wailing, however, is terrible. {#Evil}
 

I agree with lysisphere on all counts. This song is ghastly. I started out thinking "oooh, new Decemberists, automatic 8." My rating slid all the way down to 2 as the song progressed.
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
 shape5 wrote:
This song is very very long. Deep comment is deep.
 
Veranda band make non-veranda song. Ack.
Posted 14 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
I like The Decemberists. I hate this song.

Posted 14 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
You know, I like The Decemberists.  I like HIS voice.  I like the way they rock. 
This banshee woman, however, is terrible. {#Evil}
Absolutely terrible.

Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
Throw them onto my veranda.  Great song!!
Posted 14 years ago by dakine1972    [ Reply ]
{#Wall}   not one redeeming thing on this horrible, horrible song.
Posted 14 years ago by F1    [ Reply ]
Let's throw these guys off of some vast veranda.
Posted 14 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
I"m truly frustrated here. I don't know how/what to rate this song.
the music and the female singers voice is great! The guys voice though, is so overpoweringly grating on my ears it wrecks it all for me.
So, do I trim the rating because it's partly good, or do I totally trash it, because it's like trying to ride a bike with square wheels?
 
I so agree with you on this.

Posted 14 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
10, like the rest of this great album.
Posted 14 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
Please stop broadcasting this song!!! 10000000 times every day is enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by mauflex    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:
I can't quite put my finger on the exact reason, but The Decemberists give me the creeps. Makes my skin crawl.
 
Could be the album cover art.
Posted 14 years ago by jim1964    [ Reply ]
I can't quite put my finger on the exact reason, but The Decemberists give me the creeps. Makes my skin crawl.
Posted 14 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
I"m truly frustrated here. I don't know how/what to rate this song.
the music and the female singers voice is great! The guys voice though, is so overpoweringly grating on my ears it wrecks it all for me.
So, do I trim the rating because it's partly good, or do I totally trash it, because it's like trying to ride a bike with square wheels?
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
The Puking Comes in Waves/RealPain
Posted 14 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
Do you think the horribly overwrought woman's singing is to make up for the fact the guy just can't pull off the emotion needed to convey the "wanting comes in waves" idea?
Posted 14 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Initially, I loved this track. But everytime I hear it, it grates a little more. Down to a 4 (from probably an 8 initially). I think it's the creepy mother/son conversation element that bugs me, but I'm not sure.
Posted 14 years ago by jehahn    [ Reply ]
This song is very very long. Deep comment is deep.
Posted 14 years ago by shape5    [ Reply ]
 cohifi wrote:

I think the "snobbier-than-thou" comment sums up the band perfectly.  Thanks for the feedback.  I think.

  Yeah, but they have put out two very good discs lately. Some of the greatest musicians are jerks, so what?! 


Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 jonahboo wrote:
MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2009

 

It was on my top 10 list for sure....
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
i dont like this song
Posted 14 years ago by muxz0r    [ Reply ]
MY FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2009

Posted 14 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 lwilkinson wrote:
MY GOD WOULD SOMEONE PUT THAT SCREECHING CAT OUT OF ITS/MY MISERY?

I normally don't get excited but jesus............

{#Eek}
 

{#Smile} love this comment - I feel the same. Second time I hear it, wanted to give it a chance, but nope, next time I'll mute the poor cat-diva
Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte    [ Reply ]
Harsh, but a great CD nevertheless.
Posted 14 years ago by Anax    [ Reply ]
6 -> 7 and possibly going up.
Posted 14 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
 Oregoncoast wrote:
awfull..
 
You're too kind.

Posted 14 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
awfull..
Posted 14 years ago by Oregoncoast    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Kind of Grace Slick-ish vocals...
 
Quite! I dug those parts of the song extra much.
Meloy, a bit less so.

/Ed
       Ah, I see that Bill noted the similarity to. ;)
Posted 14 years ago by Frater_Kork    [ Reply ]
Love the entire hazards of love cd - especially "the drowned".....awesome tune
Posted 14 years ago by ploba    [ Reply ]
Simply....annoying.
Posted 14 years ago by Darrooon    [ Reply ]
 mcYammer wrote:
I would have called myself a Decemberists fan once upon a time (was floored by their live show in 2004, shortly after the release of their still-excellent The Tain EP, an 18-minute song cycle based on a Celtic epic — with Sabbath-y touches!), but after another five years of hyperliterate rock-opera bombast and Colin Meloy whinging about scrimshaw, organza and, I dunno, vestibules, I'm kind of done.
I don't begrudge them their reasonably successful move to a major, it's just that this stuff has a shelf life...

Nicely worded, ScotAlic...

there IS some kinda Portland snobbier-than-thou about these guys: "yeah it rains all the time here, so we read more than you, please suffer our grandiloquent weltanschaung! We have the monoply on meretricious depressive ballads..."
 
I think the "snobbier-than-thou" comment sums up the band perfectly.  Thanks for the feedback.  I think.

Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
I would have called myself a Decemberists fan once upon a time (was floored by their live show in 2004, shortly after the release of their still-excellent The Tain EP, an 18-minute song cycle based on a Celtic epic — with Sabbath-y touches!), but after another five years of hyperliterate rock-opera bombast and Colin Meloy whinging about scrimshaw, organza and, I dunno, vestibules, I'm kind of done.
I don't begrudge them their reasonably successful move to a major, it's just that this stuff has a shelf life...

Nicely worded, ScotAlic...

there IS some kinda Portland snobbier-than-thou about these guys: "yeah it rains all the time here, so we read more than you, please suffer our grandiloquent weltanschaung! We have the monopoly on meretricious depressive ballads..."

Posted 14 years ago by mcYammer    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
Kind of Grace Slick-ish vocals...
 
I thought it was Johnette Napolitano but hey.

Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 Scott_Alic wrote:
after another five years of hyperliterate rock-opera bombast and Colin Meloy whinging about scrimshaw, organza and, I dunno, vestibules, I'm kind of done.
I don't begrudge them their reasonably successful move to a major, it's just that this stuff has a shelf life...

 
S'trewth!

The first time I listened to Picaresque I quite enjoyed it, but the more times I listened, the more songs I'd press skip, until one time I was listening and skipped most of the album!  I don't think I've queued it up since.

But I still like them at RP dosage levels. :)

Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
MY GOD WOULD SOMEONE PUT THAT SCREECHING CAT OUT OF ITS/MY MISERY?

I normally don't get excited but jesus............

{#Eek}
Posted 14 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:
I love a good extended prog-rock epic as much as the next guy, but this man's voice is just . . . excrutiating.
 
i totally agree
Posted 14 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
i love everything about this song except the parts where he sings and plays harpsichord. 
Posted 14 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
They were fantastic live in Oakland, especially Shara Worden (Brightest Diamond).  The last song on this album (The Drowned) is also a great song, different style, so don't rule out the album based on this song alone.  Most Decemberist's albums take a few listens to appreciate.
Posted 14 years ago by Blackfoot    [ Reply ]
I love a good extended prog-rock epic as much as the next guy, but this man's voice is just . . . excrutiating.
Posted 14 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
As good at the Repaid portion of the song is, that's how bad the Wanting Comes in Waves song portion is.
Posted 14 years ago by ehaflett    [ Reply ]
I'd normally argue against people who say concept albums are a BAD idea and bands should never do them, but I'll have to admit that this album presents a strong case against my side of the argument.
Posted 14 years ago by rez    [ Reply ]
Kind of Grace Slick-ish vocals...
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I DVR'd this when they were on Jay Leno last summer.  I like the harpsichord.

When I watched it on a Saturday morning, my brother and his two young children came in to visit.  My 6-year-old neice blurted out that the woman singing looked like a boy.

Funny memories.
Posted 14 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]

I think that I am going to comment each and every time that I hear this song; here goes for today: THIS SONG SUCKS!!!!!!{#Puke} There, I feel better for now; until next time; buh bye!{#Wave}


Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite albums of all time. Anyone see them on Embedded last night? 
Posted 14 years ago by Marley    [ Reply ]
ALBUM OF THE DECADE - remember when an album was a collection of songs and not just singles


Posted 14 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]