Colin Meloy and company are back to their usual folk-inspired roots, keeping their whimsical air about them even though The King Is Dead is the band's third major-label release. Harmonicas and twangier-than-normal guitars join the fold this time around, while Meloy's trademark vocals are at perhaps their best.
But don't let me be the judge -- head on over to NPR Music and have yourself a listen up until The King Is Dead is released on January 18 via Capitol.