Pure indie-rock.
This is a nice idea, The Decemberists release their classic pop infused indie-rock in three bite sized portions, entitled “Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series”. The series began back in October with the release of Volume 1, which included two tracks; one of the best songs of the series ‘Valerie Plame’ and ‘O New England’, the former being a well rounded and catchy pop song with sweet sing along sections and interesting instrumentation and ‘O New England’ which starts in a minimal and acoustic fashion before becoming a gentle but bouncy number.
Volume II, which contains the tracks ‘Days of Elaine’ and ‘Sticking With You’ is a more upbeat single and was released at the start of November. ‘Days of Elaine’ has a rockier feel; piano, repetitive jangly guitar riffs, heavy bass and tambourine, while ‘Sticking With You’ is a very sweet version of the even sweeter Velvet Underground track ‘I’m Sticking With You’.
Volume III to be released in December (which seems apt), has the tracks ‘Record Year’ and Raincoat Song’; ‘Record Year’ has an introspective and melancholy feel with slide guitar and violin, but is also lovely and warm, with the most memorable tune of the series. ‘Raincoat Song’ has the atmosphere of a nursery rhyme or folk song with a simple little tune played out in a minimal way, but it also leaves you with an ache in your heart that makes you want to listen again.