Colin Meloy leads the Decemberists, a five-piece outfit whose pop sound has listeners comparing the band with the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel and Belle & Sebastian. The band knows its way around the accordion, pedal steel, upright bass, organ, theremin and drums--Meloy has a pure voice that crackles at the most perfect moments and he breaks hearts with his amazing stories. Never wavering in quality, The Decemberists' folk-influenced pop is brainy, charming and sincere.