The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists · 2009
58 min · 17 tracks · art rock
A theatrical rock opera intertwining haunting melodies with narrative-driven lyrics and lush instrumentation.
Why this album works
'The Hazards of Love' received critical acclaim upon release, debuting at number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart. It was praised for its conceptual depth and was notably nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album, highlighting its impact within the indie rock scene and beyond.
- Best for
- theatrical storytelling through music dynamic narrative progression throughout immersive waves of emotion
- Context
- Released on March 24, 2009, 'The Hazards of Love' marked The Decemberists' fifth studio album and a significant artistic leap. This project followed their commercially successful album 'The Crane Wife' (2006) and saw them embrace a more ambitious storytelling format, blending elements of folk, rock, and classical influences in a cohesive narrative arc.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kate Bush· Nikolai Noskov· Sparks
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Prelude 3:04
- 2 The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone) Standout 4:18
- 3 A Bower Scene 2:08
- 4 Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga) 4:06
- 5 The Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All) 4:25
- 6 The Queen’s Approach 0:29
- 7 Isn’t It a Lovely Night? 3:38
- 8 The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid Standout 6:26
- 9 An Interlude 1:40
- 10 The Rake’s Song Standout 3:15
- 11 The Abduction of Margaret 2:06
- 12 The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing 3:56
- 13 Annan Water 5:11
- 14 Margaret in Captivity 3:07
- 15 The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!) 3:21
- 16 The Wanting Comes in Waves (reprise) 1:30
- 17 The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned) 5:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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