The Crane Wife is the latest effort to come out of the creative collaboration of Portland-based combo The Decemberists.  Colin Meloy continues to stretch his songcraft skills in painting vivid images with his lyrics as he takes on more ditties on war and separation.  This is the group's debut effort for major label Capitol Records.  They continue to retain the studio-side core by reenlisting Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla to helm production.  The warm rings of each arpeggiated note on guitar, piano, strings, and xylophone is such a welcome delight to accompany the booming bass drum and crisp snare crackle.  Be on the lookout for a guest appearance by local folkie Laura Veirs on today's selected track, Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then).  This is a highly recommended download for the vocal interplay alone.  From the repeat listens that I've already done with this CD, it looks like this will be another entry in my Best Albums list for the year.

The Decemberists will be playing The Paramount Theater on November 17 (Bonus, A Friday evening show!!!).

Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) - The Decemberists