hey folks! we’re back with another review From the Vault, continuing the discography review of The Decemberists! this series of reviews covers the band’s whole discography, from 2003’s 5 Songs EP all the way to 2018’s Travelling On! this review was originally written in October 2021.

the most recent record in the Decemberist’s discography is 2018’s Travelling On –

Down On the Knuckle is the clear and away fave of this EP. really dig this one a lot. I Will Not Say Your Name is aight. doesnt do a ton for me, personally, but i do like the slow progression of the bass in the background, and how it kinda peeks through in the space between the other instruments. it might just be that i’m more familiar with the album version of Tripping Along but the Full Band Version sounds just way too busy. glad it got stripped down. Midlist Author is catchy and grimly humorous, i think its fun in a sad kinda way. Travelling On is def a touring song, but the sad kind. a good listen, and an interesting reflection on that lifestyle.

faves – Down On the Knuckle, Midlist Author
dislikes –

yeah found this one just okay! Not a ton to say about these real short EPs, though im sure theres some kind of comparative analysis to be done about how they (and honestly other bands too) structure these 5 song EPs, haha. i will say, given how much of this album is about slogging through unfulfilling work and difficult times, im glad theyve taken a bit of time since this EP to hopefully rest, haha.

Travelling On – 4/10

and that rounds out the Decemberists discography, bringing us up to present, though they’ve put out a little bit of music recently that makes me optimistic that we’ll have a release coming up soon. look forward to a review here when it happens! we’ll continue pulling reviews out of the vault next week with the first in a Billy Talent discography review


first: 5 Songs EP | previous: I’ll Be Your Girl | next: who knows!

all my reviews for The Decemberists