What a great way to start off this album. Lovers of the Decemberists have been so lucky over the years to be given such great albums and such great songs. Each one keeps the images of the band but explores new directions. So many groups have done that with far less success as this band, and doing so is a great risk - especially with long term success. So now that they are heading into a new album, and that fear once again comes along of whether or not they can hit another grand slam .. they start the album with dealing with the Elephant in the Room.
This is a blunt, direct song .. humorous but to the point. They love us as fans, and they know they are loved in return. Yet the past needs to be sold (to Axe Shampoo apparently) and the future may lead to new hair cuts. But change has to happen for the fans to be happy, but what changes is the hopes that nothing changes.
It's not just the risk and love of the changing band - but its the admitting the situation. The lyrics aren't just "We Belong to Ya" ... it's "We KNOW We Belong to YA".
And it's not just the band, it's telling the fan they have to change too. "You Know, to belong to you."
They faced it, they sang about it, they got the money from Axe, now lets go back to songs about Dracula's Daughter.
What a great way to start off this album. Lovers of the Decemberists have been so lucky over the years to be given such great albums and such great songs. Each one keeps the images of the band but explores new directions. So many groups have done that with far less success as this band, and doing so is a great risk - especially with long term success. So now that they are heading into a new album, and that fear once again comes along of whether or not they can hit another grand slam .. they start the album with dealing with the Elephant in the Room.
This is a blunt, direct song .. humorous but to the point. They love us as fans, and they know they are loved in return. Yet the past needs to be sold (to Axe Shampoo apparently) and the future may lead to new hair cuts. But change has to happen for the fans to be happy, but what changes is the hopes that nothing changes.
It's not just the risk and love of the changing band - but its the admitting the situation. The lyrics aren't just "We Belong to Ya" ... it's "We KNOW We Belong to YA". And it's not just the band, it's telling the fan they have to change too. "You Know, to belong to you."
They faced it, they sang about it, they got the money from Axe, now lets go back to songs about Dracula's Daughter.