The Decemberists recently announced the released date for their newest album Hazards of Love. It will be coming out on March 24th, 2009 – and it is epic. Meloy recently told Rolling Stone magazine that the album will be a concept album that will be described as a “Rock Opera”.

With 17 tracks long, this sure looks to be an epic story. What will be the biggest surprise, is the direction the band takes musically. Recent interviews with the band have revealed to expect a less folksy/sea chantey tone, and a more heavier rock sound. One song was even described to have the “blistering sounds of Led Zeppelin”.

Hazards of Love – Tracklist:

1. Prelude
2. Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won’t Wrestle the Thistles Undone)
3. A Bower Scene
4. Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)
5. Hazards of Love 2 (Wager All)
6. The Queen’s Approach
7. Isn’t it a Lovely Night?
8. The Wanting Comes in Waves / Repaid
9. An Interlude
10. The Rake’s Song
11. The Abduction of Margaret
12. The Queen’s Rebuke / The Crossing
13. Annan Water
14. Margaret in Captivity
15. Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)
16. The Wanting Comes in Waves (Reprise)
17. Hazards of Love 4 (The Drowned)

-Brent K.