The popular folk-rock group, Decemberists, has released an EP of leave-behinds from last year’s full-length, “The King Is Dead.” The performances here are rougher sounding than the polished material of the earlier album, some of which has gained commercial radio airtime, but the work-in-progress feel makes this music interesting and compelling. RIYL Americana-influenced folk-rock/country-rock, such as Ryan Adams, the Band, early REM.

No FCC issues.

1 ** Slow, spare. All acoustic. Classic outlaw ballad, about the 1910 killing of Florida bad guy Edgar Watson (see Wikipedia). The Band could do this song. (3:32)
2 *** Mid-tempo country rock. Good work on electric guitar and pedal steel; nice melody and good singing. (4:07)
3 * Very slow; literally a dirge (burial song). Starts sad, becomes angry. Some fuzzed out electric guitar & spooky electric piano. Middle part has a harsh, metal edge to it. (4:22)
4 ** Up-tempo & upbeat. A love song (sorta). Rough & ready demo tape. Good song, with a definite country-rock feel. Reminded me of something the the Avett Bros might do. (3:38)
5 *** Wonderful treatment of a Grateful Dead favorite. Slow, folk-rock ballad. The singing, guitar picking, tinkling piano, female backing vocal, all reminded me of the Dead. (6:41)
6 Mid-tempo. Setting of a poem by Dante. First half is a folky singer with acoustic guitar; second half is an old-time sounding brass band. A bit goofy. (2:57)