2002 : 23-24 Aught Music Roundtable: Castaways and Cutouts by the Decemberists

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Roundtable Part One: "July, July!" In discussions, I more often than not find myself alone on the Decemberists' wagon, usually being one of the few music fans in my circle who genuinely appreciates the work of Colin Meloy and company. However, their style is such that there is usually no happy medium. It's just as easy to enjoy their take on Victorian times, sea shanties, and Dickensian low-lives as it is to loathe such a niche. "July, July!" was one of their earliest hits off of their debut LP, and it combines the best two qualities of their style. The music is rollicking, especially during the main chorus. However, this jaunty melody belies the old-fashioned darkness that permeates the lyrics: And I say your uncle was a crooked French-Canadian And he was gut-shot running gin And how his guts were all suspended in his fingers and how he held 'em How he held 'em held 'em in There are usually no underlying messages in any Decemberists' song. The joy is in the basic storytelling, and while "July, July!" is among the simplest stories they've committed to music, it does show hints of the longer, more complex myths, fables, and sagas that have been seen in their most recent albums. —Jamie Yates Roundtable Part Two: "California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade" And the road a-winding goes From golden gate to roaring cliff-side And the light is softly low As our hearts become sweetly untied Beneath the sun of California One There are too many things for me to write about this song. How this is the perfect two songs stacked together to make one song. How the length of the song is carried by the dreamy nature of the tune and playing. How the song reminds me of the stretch of the California Highway One between Carmel and Big Sur. How I fell in love with this song while I was traveling alone in Europe. How the first time I heard this song I played it ten times in a row. How the song strikes the perfect chord about being alone. How this song is an amazing ending to an unexpectedly good album. How I cried when I saw them play it live. We're calling all bed wetters And ambulance chasers Poor picker-pockets, bring 'em in Come join the youth and beauty brigade We're lining up the light-loafered And the bored bench warmers Castaways and cutouts, fill it up Come join the youth and beauty brigade Come join the youth and beauty brigade What amazes me still is how they are calling to their listeners. They are calling to the misfits and losers of the world and saying "We are you; You are us." It caught me the very first time I heard this song. They are ending their first album by calling all their fans. It is a brilliant move. There are lots of songs about California. I have learned that California is a million different things to 40 million people. This song is about my California. I figured I had paid my debt to society By paying my overdue fines At the Multnomah County library, at the library They said "Son, go join up go join the youth and beauty brigade" —Rich Thomas Listen: The Decemberists >> "July, July!" | "California One / Youth and Beauty Brigade"