God and Country Music: The Decemberists as Americana’s Newest Converts

Last updated on: March 13, 2012 at 8:15 am by Nick Rynerson

God and Country Music: The Decemberists as Americana’s Newest Converts 2012-03-13T08:15:13-06:00 Nick Rynerson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Each week in God and Country Music, Nick Rynerson gives country music a chance and examines the world of Americana, folk, alt-country, and popular country music.

Recently, country music acquired a new convert: The Decemberists. Having long been indie-rock heroes with a reputation for releasing records with abnormally wonderful songwriting and a flare for the literary, their 2011 efforts The King Is Dead and Long Live the King (EP) crossed into my camp, i.e., old time country music. Recorded in an old barn in the Pacific Northwest with Americana queen Gillian Welch singing background and front man Colin Meloy touting a prominent harmonica, the Decemberists turned heads, especially within the Americana community. As is bound to happen when the great Gillian Welch graces you with her voice, The King Is Dead seemed to be more than just another indie-pop band trying to “get back to their roots.” The efforts appeared genuine, and Meloy would prove his sincerity.

It turns out Gillian Welch was not just a hired hand in the project, but would stick around for performances on Austin City Limits, The Tonight Show, and a host of live shows, adding her immeasurable charm all the while. Meanwhile, the Decemberists would keep their seat at the Americana table with the addition of another new touring member: the lovely Sara Watkins. Watkins is the wonderful fiddle player from the successful Americana-mainstream crossover group, Nickel Creek. She has brought a stable, folky feel to the Decemberists’ live shows for the last year with her signature melodic voice and rootsy fiddle playing. Sara Watkins has undoubtedly played a key role in the transition of the Decemberists’ sound, and what a smooth transition it has been!

Their Austin City Limits last October was simply one of the best ACL performances that I have seen in quite a while. The rural Neil Young-esque harmonica and acoustic guitar sent the message to their fans that their brand of country music is authentic and permanent. And like a perfect cherry on top of it all, Colin Meloy was sporting a beard that is a folk music beard if I have ever seen one!

Now comes release of The Decemberists newest album: We All Raise Our Voices to the Air, which is a twenty-song live double album recorded between April and August 2011. The album has been streaming at Rolling Stone and Paste for the past week or so and is a real charmer. Sara Watkins brings a lot to the whole outfit, and the band swings effortlessly between their newer Americana jams and older material alike.

It all makes grand sense really: The roots of rock and roll (especially lyrical indie rock) lie deep in the mines of American Country music. And much respect due to both The Decemberists for having the foresight to tap into that mine and to Americana matriarchs like Welch and Watkins for welcoming Colin Meloy and his crew like the prodigal son returning home. I can’t wait to see where The Decemberists are heading next, and hopefully there will be some banjo involved.

For a glimpse of this newfound eye for Americana, watch this performance (with Sara Watkins) on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Series.

Asides

Music

God and Country Music

The Decemberists

We All Raise Our Voices To The Air

Previous Post

March 13, 2012

The Holy Huddle: On Peyton Manning and the Fleeting Nature of Life

Next Post

March 13, 2012 Introducing the 2012 CaPC Theology Hoops Tournament

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz