“The Hazards Of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone)” by The Decemberists

"The Hazards of Love 1 (The Prettiest Whistles Won't Wrestle the Thistles Undone)" is the first track to carry the name of The Hazards of Love, the Decemberists' fifth album, released in 2009 through Capitol and Rough Trade. The whole record grew out of Colin Meloy's plan to write a single song under that title, and it took its cue from an Anne Briggs EP of the same name.

Meloy wrote it, sings it and plays acoustic guitar, with Chris Funk on tenor guitar, Jenny Conlee on Wurlitzer and synthesizer, Nate Query on double bass and John Moen on drums and backing vocals. Tucker Martine co-produced with the band and recorded and mixed it. The album is a rock opera: a woman named Margaret falls for William, a shape-shifter who lives in the forest, while his jealous mother, the Forest Queen, and a villain called the Rake stir up trouble.

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