With a novelist's eye for detail and character, The Decemberists' Colin Meloy doesn't just write songs. He creates elaborate tales of love and revenge about colourful storybook characters, which are brought to life by a collective of virtuoso musicians. Just as comfortable taking on concept albums as they are with 18-minute song suites, the Portland outfit have carved out a space in indie-folk that only their brand of hyper-literate songs occupy.