The Decemberists — The Crane Wife

This record had the potential to be an Oasis Be Here Now-like disaster. The Decemberists' major label debut is positively jam-packed with music, and I don't use the expression lightly. Two songs — TWO! — clock in at more than 11 minutes, and most tracks bottom out around the five-minute mark. But Colin Meloy is a lot smarter than Liam and Noel Gallagher (I somehow doubt he drinks as much), and divides his grand opuses into sections. Accordingly, "The Island, Come And See, The Landlord's Daughter, You'll Not Feel The Drowning" isn't some meandering, endless jam, but rather a few sublime songs woven together with thought and care. On "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)," Meloy trades off vocals with Emily Haines soundalike Laura Veirs, and the song is a melodic gem as a result. But the thing that makes The Crane Wife The Decemberists' best record and one of the year's must-haves is that they've truly carved out their own identity and sound more confident than ever.

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