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Castaways and Cutouts
Studio album by The Decemberists
Released	May 21, 2002
Recorded	January – February 2002
Genre	Indie rock, indie folk
Length	49:59
Label	Hush
Producer	The Decemberists
The Decemberists chronology
5 Songs (2001) Castaways and Cutouts (2002) Her Majesty the Decemberists (2003)

Castaways and Cutouts is the first full-length album by The Decemberists, originally released on May 21, 2002, on Hush Records and reissued on May 6, 2003, on Kill Rock Stars. The album's title is taken from a lyric of the song "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade".

The album cover was designed by the Portland artist Carson Ellis, the long-time girlfriend (now wife) of frontman Colin Meloy. She has created artwork for each of the band's albums.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Boston Phoenix
Pitchfork	8.1/10
Tiny Mix Tapes	5/5

Castaways and Cutouts received mostly positive reviews. The album ranked number 89 on Under the Radar's Top 200 Albums of the 2000s and number 96 on Pitchfork's The 100 Best Albums of 2000–2004.

Track listing

All songs written by Colin Meloy.

Personnel

According to the liner notes of Castaways and Cutouts.

• Colin Meloy – vocals, guitar, percussion
• Chris Funk – guitar, pedal steel, theremin
• Jenny Conlee – Hammond organ, piano, Rhodes piano, accordion
• Nate Query – upright bass
• Ezra Holbrook – drums, percussion, vocals

Production

• Produced by The Decemberists
• Recorded by Simon Widdowson
• Mastered by Ryan Foster
• Design by Third Eyebrow (.com)
• Art direction by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis
• Cover painting and illustrations by Carson Ellis
• Inner-tray photo by Jonathan Gitelson
• Sound clip in "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade" from Archangel, directed by Guy Maddin.

References

1. Cramer, Stephen. "Castaways and Cutouts – The Decemberists". AllMusic. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
2. Carioli, Carly (May 9–15, 2003). "The Decemberists: Castaways and Cutouts (Kill Rock Stars)". The Boston Phoenix. Archived from the original on April 7, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
3. Carr, Eric (March 25, 2003). "The Decemberists: Castaways and Cutouts". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
4. Wolfman. "The Decemberists – Castaways and Cutouts". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
5. newmusicexcess (8 January 2010). "Under The Radar: Best Of The Decade – Top 200 Albums of the Decade". New Music Excess. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
6. Ubl, Sam (7 February 2005). "Staff Lists: The Top 100 Albums of 2000–04". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-08.

• The Decemberists albums
• 2002 debut albums
• Hush Records albums