The Decemberists "The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)"

A PhD-level indie band if there ever was one, The Decemberists is a collection of top-tier musicians and lyricists who create vivid landscapes, characters, and narrative with each song and album.

The album The Hazards of Love tells a fairy-tale style love story fraught with magical and mystical creatures and peril. The characters are voiced by The Decemberists singer Colin Meloy as well as Becky Stark and Shara Nova from Lavender Diamond and My Brightest Diamond, respectively, who are brilliant in every way throughout the album.

"The Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)" closes the album as our heroes bind themselves in marriage just before their tragic end.

During a tour for the album, the band and various contributors would go through costume changes and act out moments from the story on stage. 

However, I was introduced to the album when The Decemberists debuted the entire stage act at SXSW 2009, which NPR broadcast live and later included in its All Songs Considered podcast.

Location: Michigan, USA

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