If you've been slightly turned off by the over-the-top instrumentation and grandiose leanings of The Decemberists' last two efforts, fear not: the band has returned to its original influences on The King Is Dead ($7). Clocking in at roughly 40 minutes, this 10-song collection is more Americana, folk, and R.E.M. -- the latter's legendary Peter Buck shows up on three tracks -- than 19th century English musical, putting the band's carefully crafted lyrics and excellent musicianship that much more in the forefront.