The Decemberists - we both go down together, 2005

"If Picaresque sounds pretentious, well, fine. But it's a charmer and is well served by a verve that keeps things loose and fun. The fuller sound on cuts like 16 Military Wives (with its Spector-y production) and The Bagman's Gambit, which transforms from a formless acoustic ditty into an imposing rumbler, doesn't really rock you like a hurricane per se but certainly provides a sufficient gale to send you on an enchanting journey, matey."