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 (and now wife) of Colin Meloy.