DOWN BY THE WATER

The single from an album that sorely disappointed me, 'Down By The Water' feels like a pretty typical track for this album, possibly done a little better than what I generally heard from that album. Showcasing The Decemberists' latest sound, they seem to be returning to the alternative country voice that they had with their first EPs and demos. Unfortunately, this is one step forward and ten steps back for a band I was really getting excited about.

While the past two albums before really impressed me with their progressive tendencies and more rock-leaning elements, 'Down By The Water' shows what the band has become now; back to their basic roots as a cookie cut country act. While the fact that Meloy was going back to a more basic form of songwriting is not necessarily to this song's credit on its own, it is moreso the lackluster and predictable way the song is written and performed.

The song is certainly listenable for its warm acoustics and some decent harmonica work, but the song never feels as if it goes anywhere particularly interesting; instead reprising the same tired chorus. It feels like a track for their first EP, in other words.

Quite a disappointment.

Share this THE DECEMBERISTS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Conor Fynes
• Report this review (#414337)
• Buy THE DECEMBERISTS music online with PA partners
• Show all THE DECEMBERISTS MP3/Stream
• Go to THE DECEMBERISTS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Down By The Water page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THE DECEMBERISTS related discussions