Castaways and Cutouts [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

The Decemberists

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 6, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 21, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Kill Rock Stars
• ASIN: B00008XS4D
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,666 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The Decemberists stick to the same kind of heavy acoustic folk-rock and freakish lyrical balladry that fueled Neutral Milk Hotel's rise to power. Fortunately, their music also possesses enough unique twists to distinguish it from simple mimicry. The most obvious is the band's often baroque instrumentation, which generally makes for more elaborate arrangements than those of their stylistic forbearer. Hammond organ and subtle theremin flesh out the mix, each adding an anachronistic spin on the otherwise quaint jangle of strings and guitars hearkening to some dusty, distant past." -- Pitchfork [8.1]

As its title would suggest, Castaways and Cutouts is a record populated with an eclectic array of unlikely characters in various states of abandonment and revelry. While the likes of Spanish gypsies, infant specters, and Turkish prostitutes are not common elements in modern pop music, these figures find ample footing within the songcraft of Colin Meloy, supported comfortably by the band's lush and orchestral instrumentation. Recorded over a two-month period in a warehouse in Portland's Industrial Southeast, the record swims gracefully between heart-rending, deftly arranged pop and scrappy off-the-cuff dirge --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raised on pradies, peanut shells and dirt, March 31, 2004

By	Jellybones (On Tour) - See all my reviews

Last years opening salvo from The Decemberists was Castaways and Cutouts. Crafting beautiful songs rich with story, they have quickly become a pinnacle on the scene (followed by another full length release the same year, and already an EP this year, they may also quickly become one of the most prolific if they are not careful). Colin Meloy and his Decemberists hail from Portland OR, and are oft compared to Neutral Milk Hotel. I'm going to get one thing clear and out of the way right off the bat if you don't mind. One, yes, they do sound akin to Neutral Milk Hotel. And two, I'll be perfectly honest, I'm not that fond of Jeff Magnum's voice. Though I can hear the resemblance, I like Colin's voice much, much better. Another reviewer implied that this was a less daring album than Neutral Milk's outings, and I concede that might be a fair assessment. But while the blueprint might not be pushing the envelope quite as far as they did, that does not keep this group from putting together a musical monument through perfect, beautiful execution and well measured emotion.

Overall, this album is dotted with beautiful musical interaction by so many instruments and graced with detailed lyrical imagery. In my mind I can picture them as the last of the wandering minstrels, recanting the ghostly mid nineteenth century tale of young death on "Leslie Ann Levine", featuring what I can only identify as some sort of well played squeeze box ("Fifteen years gone now, I still wander this parapet and shake my rattle bone / Fifteen years gone now, I still cling to the petticoats of the girl who died with me"). I can picture them modern daydreamers lost in the visions of ages past during "Here I Dreamt I Was an Architect", where they evoke pictures of soldiers, rogues, and scoundrels while finishing upon a more modern but just as elegant fancy ("But you / my soiled teenage girlfriend / while you furrow like a lioness / we are vagabonds, we travel without seatbelts on / we live this close to death"). Gorgeous in its orchestration with a melody like soft falling rain in the background, it is definitely my favorite. "July, July!" goes a bit more up-tempo, displaying some vocal harmonizing, and almost rocking out on the memorable chorus. The album closes with "California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade" a montage of intoxicating guitar work and stunning lyrics that capture that strange paradox feeling one has when they have at once a complete satisfaction in the moment, yet doubts and fears about the future. Flipping midway, the tune changes and piano accented by wave crashes of cymbals take over, organs swell, and the ten minute juggernaut finishes in a beautiful almost psychedelic whirlpool, and coughs up its albums title ("We're lining up the light-loafer'd and the bored bench warmers / Castaways and cutouts, fill it up / Come join the Youth and Beauty Brigade / Nothing will stand in our way").

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stunning, June 2, 2004

By	carl cuchetti (berkley, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

have you ever heard a beautiful old celtic song, where upon listening closely to the lyrics you discover it's about how a bride is killed on her wedding day and her ghost avenges her death... and you think "that's a weird thing to write a song about..."

Well, this disc is a lot like that.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting, May 23, 2003

By	Spencer G. Dickson (Murray, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Castaways and Cutouts" is as fully-realized a debut as I've ever heard. Everything about this band--from its name and homespun artwork to Colin Meloy's beautiful and beguiling songs--feels right. Meloy's vivid lyrics spin intimate tales of unrestful spectres, reluctant prostitutes, and lonely soldiers with an effortlessness that belies their complexity and completeness. His highly literate and captivating wordplay is backed by a woozy folk/pop hybrid that perfectly matches the lyrics in tone and impact. Acoustic guitar tracks are augmented by Hammond organ, accordion, and tasteful pedal steel. Though familiar, when coupled with the lyrics, the sound is somehow fresh. This probably owes to Meloy's unique phrasing (he's from Montana, but sings with an appealing mid-Atlantic lilt), lovely melodies, and self-assured, troubador's vocals. Everything fits together perfectly. This is a special record.