Album Review: The Decemberists - Florasongs
By Daniel Marco, Contributor
[Capitol; 2015]
Rating: 2.5/5
Key Tracks: “Fits & Starts,” “Why Would I Now?”
Florasongs is The Decemberists’ five song EP made up of songs that didn’t quite make the cut for their latest album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. This is already a bad sign--these songs weren’t good enough to deserve a place on the band’s worst record to date?
The EP only runs 19 minutes long but it certainly feels like a lot longer, and not in a good way. This music essentially defines the term “forgettable.” No one song holds its own or is memorable in any way. There is no unifying bond that ties the music together, which leaves it sounding drab and rundown. The only song really worth mentioning is “Fits & Starts.” It’s the fastest song on Florasongs, but even then you can practically hear front man Colin Meloy saying, “This is our obligatory up-tempo song to make sure you’re not falling asleep.”
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with making a record that’s soft or easy on the ears, but an artist has to at least make it interesting or beautiful enough to warrant our attention, which The Decemberists fail to do. Florasongs plays if safe and close to the vest, instead of taking risks and trying to branch out with any new or intriguing ideas. Even if you’re the biggest Decemberists super fan in the world, this EP will leave you disappointed and looking for more.
