The Decemberists
Florasongs EP

THE REVIEW

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