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Her Majesty the Decemberists is the second full-length album by The Decemberists, released on September 9, 2003, by Kill Rock Stars. The song "Song for Myla Goldberg" was written years earlier, after Colin Meloy had been a media escort for the novelist Myla Goldberg during a tour following the publication of her first book, Bee Season.
| Her Majesty the Decemberists | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 9, 2003 | |||
| Recorded | February 2003 – March 2003 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 48:26 | |||
| Label | Kill Rock Stars | |||
| Producer | Larry Crane | |||
| The Decemberists chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 83/100[4] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
| Alternative Press | 5/5[5] |
| Blender | [6] |
| Pitchfork | 8.2/10[7] |
| Stylus Magazine | B+[8] |
| Uncut | [9] |
The album cover was designed by the Portland artist Carson Ellis, the long-time girlfriend (later wife) of Meloy, who has created artwork for each of the band's albums.
As of November 2005 it had sold 40,000 copies in United States.[10]
Track listing
editAll songs written by Colin Meloy.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Shanty for the Arethusa" | 5:38 |
| 2. | "Billy Liar" | 4:08 |
| 3. | "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" | 4:18 |
| 4. | "The Gymnast, High Above the Ground" | 7:13 |
| 5. | "The Bachelor and the Bride" | 4:13 |
| 6. | "Song for Myla Goldberg" | 3:34 |
| 7. | "The Soldiering Life" | 3:48 |
| 8. | "Red Right Ankle" | 3:29 |
| 9. | "The Chimbley Sweep" | 2:54 |
| 10. | "I Was Meant for the Stage" | 7:02 |
| 11. | "As I Rise" | 2:14 |
| Total length: | 48:26 | |
Note: On some editions, the track listing printed on the actual disc omits "The Chimbley Sweep", though the song is listed on the back of the CD jacket and in the liner notes.
Personnel
editAccording to the liner notes of Her Majesty the Decemberists.
The Decemberists
edit- Colin Meloy – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion
- Chris Funk – electric guitar, Oberheim synthesizer, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, percussion
- Jenny Conlee – Hammond organ, piano, Rhodes piano, accordion, Wurlitzer, backing vocals, percussion
- Jesse Emerson – electric bass, upright bass, percussion
- Rachel Blumberg – drums, percussion, vibes, glockenspiel, backing vocals, organ solo on "Red Right Ankle"
Additional musicians
edit- Cory Gray – trumpet, trombone, hand claps
- Dave Lipkind – chromatic harmonica
- Carson Ellis – Blood-curdling scream
- Kenneth Erlick – Hand claps
- Her Majesty's String Quartet
Production
edit- Produced by The Decemberists with Larry Crane and Adam Selzer
- Engineered by Larry Crane (tracks 2–6, 8, 10) and Adam Selzer (tracks 1, 7, 9, 11)
- Mastered by John Golden
- String arrangements by Mike Johnson
- Illustrations and design by Carson Ellis, assisted by Colin Meloy
- Layout and production by Brady Clark
References
edit- ^ Seida, Linda. "The Decemberists | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ "Hear Neutral Milk Hotel's influence before you see the band at Fun Fun Fun Fest". Austin 360. September 26, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Her Majesty – The Decemberists". AllMusic. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Reviews for Her Majesty The Decemberists by The Decemberists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "The Decemberists: Her Majesty the Decemberists". Alternative Press (185): 140. December 2003.
- ^ Pruzan, Todd (September 2003). "The Decemberists: Her Majesty". Blender (19): 122. Archived from the original on June 7, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ Dahlen, Chris (September 7, 2003). "The Decemberists: Her Majesty The Decemberists". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
- ^ Burns, Todd (September 25, 2003). "The Decemberists – Her Majesty the Decemberists – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on March 29, 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ Gillow, Jane (December 2004). "The Decemberists – Her Majesty The Decemberists". Uncut (91): 153. Archived from the original on December 27, 2004. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
- ^ "Decemberists Feeling 'Picaresque' On New Set". Billboard. January 11, 2005. Retrieved January 23, 2021.