Bow Down to The Decemberists Trivia Quiz

Answer: "Castaways and Cutouts"

"Castaways and Cutouts" was the first album released by The Decemberists in May of 2003. This was followed by "Her Majesty" later in the year. In 2005, The Decemberists released the album "Picaresque" which was followed in 2006 by the epic "Crane Wife".

Answer: True

The Decemberists were also named band of the year by "TheMagazine", an online magazine free to all.

Answer: Chris Funk

In the episode of the "Colbert Report", Stephan Colbert had Peter Frampton perform on his behalf after a patently fake hand injury caused him to bow out of the competition. After the judges were split, one to one, Colbert asked the audience who was winner.

The audience erupted for Colbert, with only scattered applause for The Decemberists. Thus, Colbert-Frampton won the competition, and was given a copy of "The Crane Wife" for his victory at the end of the show.

Answer: "The Sporting Life"

"The Sporting Life" describes the failure of a player, presumably a high school football player, in front of his friends and family. "The Soldiering Life", aptly named, describes the life of a soldier and was included on the album "Her Majesty." Also on "Her Majesty" was the song "Red Right Ankle." "July, July!" is an upbeat song performed on The Decemberist's first album, "Castaways and Cutouts."

Answer: "Cocoon"

The song is one of the more peaceful songs The Decemberists have ever produced, a six minute forty-eight second piece full of calming piano and background instrumentals.

Answer: "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade"

"California One/ Youth and Beauty Brigade" has a 9:50 run time, making it by far the longest track on the record. "Cocoon" at 6:48 follows it, with "Odalisque" at 5:20 the third to longest, and "July, July!", the shortest track on the album, which runs for a respectable 2:53.

Answer: "Crane Wife"

According to the band's biography on their website, the lead singer, Colin Meloy, came across the tale of a man who's greed caused him a terrible loss. The story is of a poor man who finds a crane at his doorstop with an arrow wound, which he tends to and sets the crane lose.

After tending to the crane, a woman arrives whom he loves deeply and eventually marries. This woman is gifted with an incredible talent for weaving cloth, which they sell and gradually become richer and richer. The only catch, however, is that the poor man is never allowed to see her weave.

He begins to work the woman harder and harder, and the woman's health diminishes. Finally, overcome by greed, he peeks in and sees a crane plucking the feathers from its skin and weaving them into the loom.

The crane then notices the man, and flies away, never to be seen again.

Answer: "The Island"

"The Island" is a twelve minute, twenty-six second masterpiece with three smaller "mini-songs" within it. These are "Come and See", "The Landlord's Daughter" and "You'll Feel Not the Drowning."

Answer: Neutral Milk Hotel

Though many music lovers compare the two bands, they are not listed as one of the bands The Decemberists adore. Some more of their favorite bands are The Long Winters, Earlimart, and The Swords Project.

Answer: "The Kingdom of Spain"

"Eli, the Barrow Boy" was featured on "Picaresque" whereas "O Valencia!" was included on the album "Crane Wife." "Los Angeles, I'm Yours" appears on both "Her Majesty" and "Billy Liar."