Despite their six-year hiatus, The Decemberists seemingly never left. Frontman Colin Meloy has been toiling on countless literary projects, including his Wildwood series, which is being made into a feature film. Meloy’s work in the storytelling space may lend to the cinematic odyssey that is The Decemberists’ first album since 2018. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is the band’s lengthiest and most daring album to date. The sprawling effort uses time to its advantage. Being in no rush allows these 13 tracks to unravel whimsically, borrowing classic storytelling elements and setting them to delightfully expansive arrangements. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is split into four three-song chapters with a twenty-minute outro that acts as the long list of credits at the end of this gothic cinematic experience.
The narrative of The Decemberists’ latest is lined with medieval undertones. Imagine yourself on a journey to a faraway land with tests of strength and fear along the way, accompanied by a multi-instrumentalist from another dimension. The band built the album around a deep passion for storytelling, and the instrumentation aligns with a character arch’s ups and downs. Acoustic plucking feels like the downtrodden moments, while blaring and bright horn sections signal a moment of triumph in the story. Our main character experiences the emotional volatility of going through changes. The band leans into these moments of grief to create heartfelt balladry, only to resolve the conflict a few songs later with the help of warm harmonies. Like any good story, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again features extreme highs and lonely lows for an album that sounds like it could double as a screenplay for a theatrical production.
The Decemberists employ vivid imagery to drive the story of As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, but their sonic approach holds just as much weight. The way the band shifts from the bright pop of the first chapter and seamlessly transitions to a funeral scene featuring sentimental guitars and dark instrumentation showcases their mastery of tone. Chapter One welcomes us to our journey, placing you at the start of a mysterious trail that ventures into unknown territory. The optimistic tracks like “Burial Ground” and “Oh No” set the tone for an easygoing, pop-leaning LP. The second chapter introduces new characters and a love arc. “Long With Veil” is a surf-rock-tinged tune that details a classic love story, while the somber “William Fitzwilliam” feels like a side quest along the way. The narrative quickly shifts focus during the third act, which returns to the chaotic joy of the first chapter. “Born In The Morning” has our hero starting over while the chaotic joy of the arrangement creates dense textures. Despite the ever-changing sonic direction of this album, it never feels out of focus. The Decemberists’ ambition is anchored down, ironically, by the stirring and fictional narrative.
After a six-year break, The Decemberists return better than ever. As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is the band’s longest and most rewarding album to date. The Decemberists take the art of the concept album and fill it with as many fantasy tropes as possible, creating a sonic journey that deserves your undivided attention.
