The Hazards of Love cover

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • theatrical storytelling through music
  • dynamic narrative progression throughout
  • immersive waves of emotion
  • engaging character-driven arcs
  • haunting melodies for reflection

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer standalone singles
  • seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

Career 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
Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· Fleet Foxes

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) 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 6:26
  • 9 An Interlude 1:40
  • 10 The Rake’s Song 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