Is What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World a good place to start with The Decemberists?

Yes, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is recommended as a starting point for new The Decemberists listeners. A tapestry of whimsical narratives and lyrical introspection woven into lush melodies and intricate arrangements. Released on January 20, 2015, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is The Decemberists' first album in four years following 2011's The King Is Dead. By this point, the band had established themselves as notable figures in the indie rock scene, blending storytelling with diverse musical influences. This album marks a return to their more eclectic roots after a period of folk-centric sound.

Who is What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World for?

What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World works well if you're into whimsical storytelling with depth, steady mid-tempo reflective moments and narrative-driven songs for contemplation.

How many songs are on What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World?

What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World has 14 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World

The Decemberists · 2015

53 min · 14 tracks · art rock

A tapestry of whimsical narratives and lyrical introspection woven into lush melodies and intricate arrangements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cavalry Captain — This track showcases the album's thematic exploration of longing and despair through vivid imagery and a rousing melody that captures the essence of The Decemberists' storytelling tradition.
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Make You Better — With its anthemic chorus and introspective lyrics, this single encapsulates the band's ability to blend personal reflection with broader existential themes, making it a standout moment on the album.
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The Singer Addresses His Audience Start here — Opening the album, this track sets a meta-narrative tone by directly engaging listeners while cleverly commenting on performance and connection, indicative of the band's theatrical style.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features strong storytelling through varied instrumentation and engaging melodies, though it may not stand out significantly in its genre.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a steady build in tempo and intensity, culminating in the more upbeat 'Make You Better' as the fourth track.
Several songs incorporate varied instrumentation, including strings and brass, which adds layers to the arrangements.
The lyrics often tell stories or paint vivid imagery, with shifts in perspective that engage the listener's imagination.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

whimsical storytelling with depth
steady mid-tempo reflective moments
narrative-driven songs for contemplation
lush instrumentation inviting exploration
cathartic reflections on beauty

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer instant gratification music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and creativity after a four-year hiatus.
Themes: theatrical storytelling· longing in landscapes
Career context: Released on January 20, 2015, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is The Decemberists' first album in four years following 2011's The King Is Dead. By this point, the band had established themselves as notable figures in the indie rock scene, blending storytelling with diverse musical influences. This album marks a return to their more eclectic roots after a period of folk-centric sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· Fleet Foxes