In the past two years, The Decemberists have gone from unknowns outside their native Portland to success in every column of the rock band tally sheet: critical praise, impressive sales and packed houses both here and abroad. Picaresque is their fullest sounding release yet, containing more instrumental variations than can be listed here for a heightened urgency and depth to the sharply written lyrical scenarios. It comes as a double LP with a 20-page insert packed with photos and lyrics. It also includes six extra tracks.

Reviews

"A triumph of literary pop — lush, theatrical, and bursting with imagination." — Pitchfork

"With Picaresque, The Decemberists fully bloom into baroque pop storytellers, crafting songs that feel like short stories in verse." — NPR

"A whimsical, whip-smart album that balances melancholy and mischief with flair." — The A.V. Club

"Colin Meloy’s knack for narrative and melody shines here — Picaresque is the sound of a band growing bolder and better." — AllMusic

"Ambitious, ornate, and strangely moving — it’s indie rock as chamber drama." — PopMatters