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The King Is Dead was recorded during the spring of 2010, with most of it being made in a six week period in a barn at an 8-acre (32,000 m2) site called Pendarvis Farm, which is near Portland, Oregon. The album title has been speculated to pay homage to The Smiths 1986 album The Queen Is Dead, largely due to Colin Meloy's long-touted influence from the band. It was co-produced by Tucker Martine. At least three of the ten songs have been performed live in 2010, which are "Down By the Water", "Rise to Me", and "June Hymn". Meloy has cited that a primary musical influence for much of The King Is Dead is the band R.E.M., and three songs, "Don't Carry It All", "Calamity Song", and "Down by the Water" feature R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck. The album was released on January 18, 2011. The King Is Dead has been called the "most pastoral, rustic record they've ever made" by Douglas Wolk of Rolling Stone.