The Decemberists - Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series

Tracklist:
01. Valerie Plame
02. Days Of Elaine
03. O New England
04. I'm Sticking With You
05. Record Year
06. Raincoat Song

or...

01. Always The Bridesmaid Vol. I: Valerie Plame
02. Always The Bridesmaid Vol. II: Days Of Elaine
03. Always The Bridesmaid Vol. III: Record Year For Rain

If You Like: Bright Eyes, Band Of Horses, All Smiles

This album is the most upbeat album of The Decemberists, the only exception being 'Record Year'. 'Valerie Plame' is about a spy and ends with a tune similar to 'Hey Jude'. I believe 'I'm Sticking With You' is a Velvet Underground Cover. 'Record Year' is a nice melancholy song, followed by 'Raincoat Song' which has a somber steel guitar underneath the more uplifting vocals, which sound happy but are kind of sad: "And the raincoat that you wore when it rained today, I think it only made it rain more." This album is good if you're a fan, otherwise don't bother. 5/10