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Rating: The numerous reasons that have led the Decemberists to be one of the most solid American alternative rock realities are multiple, starting from their sound closely related to the star-spangled musical tradition to a stylistic and thematic cohesion typical of each of their recordings.
This last prerogative began to lack in the (still good) album released at the beginning of the year, "What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World", an extremely successful record but showing a higher rate of thematic "disconnection" between pieces.
It is not surprising, therefore, the release of this new EP, "Florasongs", a collection of five outtakes from the sessions of the aforementioned work. But beware of thinking they are pieces excluded due to quality issues: it is very likely the reason is a fundamental inconsistency with the overall sound of the work.
Just take the surprising "Fits & Starts": an absolutely unprecedented Stones-esque rock 'n roll divertissement for the American band, which indeed seems at ease in strumming freely, as if a nearly liberating act.
The first single "Why Would I Now?", instead, brings us back to the sounds of the bestseller "The King Is Dead", with its alternative country now the trademark of the Portland quintet. "Riverswim" is a beautiful typically Decemberists ballad and absolutely aligns with the qualitative level of their best works. "The Harrowed And The Haunted" is a sincere, elegant, and heartfelt homage to R.E.M.'s "Lifes Rich Pageant" that precedes the close with the melancholic "Stateside", for guitar and voice.
A nice little treat, this "Florasongs", which completes the already excellent picture painted with "What A Terrible World...". A pleasant side dish that completes a rich and convincing plate.
Waiting for the next move.
Best track: Riverswim
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