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Description
**The Hazards of Love**, the Decemberists' fifth album, arrived in March 2009 as a sprawling, cinematic concept album that dared to bridge the gap between indie rock and the grand opera tradition. At its heart lies a dark, cyclical fairy tale of murder, obsession, and resurrection, woven through with Colin Meloy's characteristic baroque pop sensibilities and a penchant for literary allusion. Produced by the ever-sagacious Tucker Martine, the record features a lush arrangements by the band's collective musical minds-particularly guitarist Nate Query and cellist Jenny Conlee-who orchestralize the narrative with strings that swell like the tidal waves threatening the doomed protagonists. It was a bold step forward from *The Crane Wife*, embracing a more theatrical sound without sacrificing the band's intimate storytelling.
Critically, the album was met with a mixture of awe and bewilderment for its length and ambition. It clocks in at over 90 minutes and features no less than eleven tracks, each contributing to a larger narrative tapestry. Some found the operatic flourishes overwrought; others recognized its ambition as a masterwork of modern folk opera. The album's cyclical structure-a key piece of trivia-is worth noting: the story returns to its beginning in a chilling loop, reflecting the inescapable nature of fate and violence within the narrative.
Beyond its narrative arc, the Hazards of Love stands as a testament to The Decemberists' artistic evolution and refusal to be pinned down by genre. It blends indie rock with prog rock elements, folk storytelling, and operatic grandeur, challenging listeners to follow a tale that transcends traditional rock album conventions. The result is a record that rewards patience, offering an immersive experience that feels both timeless and startlingly current. A worthy centerpiece for any serious collection of folk-rock's most ambitious endeavors.
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[The Hazards of Love - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hazards_of_Love)
[The Hazards of Love - AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-hazards-of-love-mw0000811120)
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