In the age of the iPod and gripped by the digital music revolution I have to admit I’m as guilty as the next person for neglecting my album-buying duties.Having the ability to hear a track on the radio and within seconds, at the touch of a button, download it for keeps has seen my CD purchases dwindle to virtually nil. Even extravagant album artwork, limited edition releases and bonus dvds have a job on their hands making it onto the shelves in my living room when from the comfort of my couch, wearing my PJs, I can harvest their best tracks and add them to the playlist on my PC. Although I will confess to being a sucker for a free poster, it takes something rather special these days for me to exchange my hard earned cash for an actual hold-in-your-hand CD.

So would parting with £9.99 at my not-so-local independent record shop for a copy of The Decemberists’ 2009 release THE HAZARDS OF LOVE leave me disappointed? In a word, No.

With 17 tracks (that’s 17 - count them!) not only is THE HAZARDS OF LOVE great value for money in the current economic climate but it is also a wonderful way to spend an hour of your day.

Inspired by an Anne Briggs EP of the same title, and the 1960’s British folk revival that spawned it, this concept album (a format of which I am now most definitely a fan) follows the fictional story of Margaret and her lover William through their tumultuous journey of shape-shifting animals, Forest Queens and one ‘lascivious rake’.

Meandering through the initial yearnings of William and Margaret in ‘Won’t Want for Love’ (for me the standout track), then galloping into the drama of ‘The Wanting Comes in Waves’ before finally allowing the dust to settle on ‘The Hazards of Love Part 4, The Drowned’, each track is blended beautifully to the next, fusing the entire album into one magical movement of music.

The cellos, Hammond organs and accordions may have you believe this music is of much greater vintage than it actually is but then the electrical elements of bass and guitar will leave you in no doubt this is a well produced piece of modern makings.

With names like Colin Meloy, Jenny Conlee, John Moen, Nate Geary (not forgetting Chris Funk)and tales of Offas Wall, Mistle Thrushes and Myfanwy you would be forgiven for thinking The Decemberists hail from our own fair Isles but unfortunately (for me, not them) their base is Portland, Oregan. So unless Easyjet start doing budget flights from Liverpool to North West America my only hope of seeing them live in the near future is if you (yes, you) forgo a few pints of fizzy European Lager and instead invest your coinage in their latest album, tangible or otherwise, so Rough Trade Records can afford to export them. Trust me, it’ll be worth every penny.

4/5

For further information visit; www.decemberists.com or www.myspace.com/thedecemberists

Clare Goddard (Mrs!)