The first I heard by these guys. Really good.

I've never been a big fan of the overlaping tracks, or the ongoing track, but they somehow fuckin making it sound great, I especially love how no one in this industry can touch the stupendous uniqueness, or the folkish, modern rock. Seattle definately has some fuckin awesome music coming our way. But I still don't like this album, it's definately not as good as castaways and cutouts, like how do you compare to "here i dreamt I was an architect" that song is amazing or "Eli the Barrow Boy" those songs really tap into the inner being of yourself.

ha, enjoyed it so much - =]

Thanks for the preview!

Hard to say what I think on one listen - it's a lot to take in.

I wonder if I'll still feel their first foray into the multi-part concept idea, The Tain EP, is still their best of this type. Probably so.

very cool .first time listening to this band and i really like them. cool sound , i cant stop listening to
this album it's very unique.

Not as good as the crane wife but i have only listened once so far..It will take time....It is really growing on me and now i love it.....

Unique and unforgettable sound. Loved it!

The Rake's Song & The Hazards of Love 1 are previewed on Myspace and Facebook already. I see a release of The Rake's Song listed from January on MySpace under the album listed on their player.

Kenneth, I appreciate your thoughtful comments and agree that there will certainly be parts of Hazards that are more amenable to radio, but to be honest, I don't see that those pieces can be appreciated by, as you say the "MP3 downloading culture" just yet without a trip through the more approachable Decemberists first (Valencia or Military Wives or July).

I don't completely understand your comments on Tommy. I am a fan of Tommy, and The Who, but I see Hazards as a great leap forward in scope for Rock Opera. I can't deny that what The Who did was unsurpassingly bold, and The Decemberists may not be doing what they are doing on Hazards without their British inspiration.

And what pieces did you say were released from the album? I'm not aware anything from Hazards released as a single. I would imagine The Rake Song and maybe Annan Water would be candidates.