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5 Songs

On-line recommendations had alerted me to the existence of The Decemberists, and, in late 2003 or early '04, I set about ordering their available releases: Castaways and Cutouts & Her Majesty the Decemberists; and also the 5 Songs EP. I can't remember in what order I obtained them. I subsequently acquired The Tain and Picaresque CDs, but, in proper hipster style did not then follow them on into their major-label years. 

This, the 2003 re-issue of 5 Songs comprises six songs. The expansive opener 'Oceanside' immediately sets up a distinctive mood. On the more melacholic 'Shiny', acoustic guitar is augmented by pedal steel. Accordion features prominently on the tall tale that is 'My Mother Was a Chinese Trapeze Artist'. More upbeat, and, to my ears, less memorable, is 'Angel Won't You Call Me?'.

Flute and trumpet play together on the mournful 'I Don't Mind'. I can't say why 'Apology Song', the sixth of the five, puts me in mind of Morrissey, when it's really too light-hearted a number for that. Overall this is a sweet suite of tunes that for me is a stronger and more consistent effort than their first two full-length albums.

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