As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again is the ninth studio album by the American indie rock band the Decemberists, it was released on June 14, 2024 on YABB Records.[1] It is a double album,[2] produced by Tucker Martine, who the band has frequently collaborated with.[3]
| As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 14, 2024 | |||
| Length | 67:39 | |||
| Label | YABB | |||
| Producer | Tucker Martine | |||
| The Decemberists chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
editStephen M. Deusner of Pitchfork noted the album was something of a "return to form", tying the focus and subject matter of the album to Meloy's "obsessions".[4]
Eric R. Danton of Paste similarly notes the band "returning to a previous musical approach" while calling the album "fresh". [5]
Timothy Monger of AllMusic notes the anthology-like quality suggesting the album "plays like a musical overview of their career".[2]
Chris DeVille of Stereogum described the 19-minute finale "Joan in the Garden", inspired by Joan of Arc, as a "slow burn". He highlights "unexpectedly sick ambient noise" and "monster riffs" in the song.[3]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Colin Meloy, except where noted
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Burial Ground" | 4:04 |
| 2. | "Oh No!" | 5:04 |
| 3. | "The Reapers" | 4:41 |
| 4. | "Long White Veil" | 3:49 |
| 5. | "William Fitzwilliam" | 3:35 |
| 6. | "Don't Go to the Woods" | 3:57 |
| 7. | "The Black Maria" | 3:50 |
| 8. | "All I Want Is You" | 2:38 |
| 9. | "Born to the Morning" | 3:24 |
| 10. | "America Made Me" | 5:20 |
| 11. | "Tell Me What's on Your Mind" | 3:57 |
| 12. | "Never Satisfied" | 4:00 |
| 13. | "Joan in the Garden" | 19:20 |
| Total length: | 67:39 | |
Formats
editAs It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again was released on CD, LP, cassette tape, and digital downloads.
Personnel
editThe Decemberists
edit- Colin Meloy — vocals, composer, lyricist, acoustic guitar, background vocals, electric guitar
- Chris Funk — acoustic guitar, background vocals, banjo, bouzouki, electric guitar, mandolin, synthesizer
- Jenny Conlee — accordion, background vocals, organ, piano, synthesizer, vibraphone
- Nate Query — background vocals, cello, electric bass, upright bass
- John Moen — background vocals, drums, percussion
Guests
edit- James Mercer — Backing vocals on “Burial Ground”[6][7]
- Mike Mills — Piano and Backing Vocals on “Joan in the Garden”[7]
References
edit- ^ "As It Ever Was, So It Will be Again, the Decemberists".
- ^ a b Monger, Timothy. "As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ a b DeVille, Chris (March 19, 2024). "The Decemberists Release 19-Minute "Joan In The Garden" From New Album As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again". Stereogum. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Deusner, Stephen M. (June 20, 2024). "The Decemberists: As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ Danton, Eric R. (June 13, 2024). "The Decemberists Remain Distinctive on As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again". Paste. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ "The Decemberists — as It Ever Was, So It Will be Again (YABB)".
- ^ a b "The Decemberists' Colin Meloy is Fine with the Long Wait for the Group's New Album, but Isn't So Sure His Dream is Still to Write with Morrissey". 14 June 2024.