The Decemberists

"Cavalry Captain" (video)

BY Alex HudsonPublished Oct 9, 2015

The Decemberists released their new EP Florasongs today (October 9), but rather than promote that short-player, the theatrical folk-rock Portlanders have released a video for "Cavalry Captain" from the prior full-length What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.

The clip accompanying this stomping, horn-blasted anthem shows frontman Colin Meloy as the head of a religion called Decemberism. The whole thing plays out like a cheesy infomercial on a glitchy VHS tape, as the band try to sell us overpriced religious books while promising things like joy and eternal life. The whole thing plays out a bit like a parody and critique of Scientology.

Watch the Daniel Kaufman-directed clip below. A description on YouTube says, "Call 971-23-ALIVE to find your place in the universe."

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