The driving, bouncy acoustic guitar, coupled with the lyrics announcing the 21 year-old narrator’s recent marriage, sets a lighthearted tone at the outset of the new Decemberists single “The Rake’s Song,” from the forthcoming full-length The Hazards Of Love. But that cheery mood is soon dashed, as the subject grows weary of the responsibilities of fatherhood, and starts dispatching with his offspring, one by one. It’s gruesome and grim, but is somehow catchy and a bit of a sing-along, no matter how dire the subject matter. From the looks of the track list (”The Hazards Of Love 1-4″), this appears to be another concept record, “rooted in ancient language and imagery,” unified by tragic tales of affection gone awry. The Hazards Of Love, indeed.

The Decemberists “The Rake Song” (mp3)

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Also: (The Decemberists on Late Night with Conan O’Brien)