Vampire Weekend-Vampire WeekendStatus: Out as of 2008
Label: XL
Rating: 4 Feathers
In a world of Fall Out Boys, Amy Winehouses, and Panic(!) At the Discos, Vampire Weekend is a huge breath of fresh air. Straight from New York, these four Columbia University grads combine afro-pop, indie, and a basic sound to produce a new style. The album starts off with 'Mansard Roof', which gives you a beach-y sort of vibe. The simple sound is very evident but effective. 'Oxford Comma' comes next. I don't care what the pricks on MTV say, this song is perfect. Though the title is a grammar concept, the song is not just about that. It mentions ideas of travel and insubordination. Chris Tomson's heavily African-influenced drumming couldn't be any better. 'A-Punk' is what got me hooked when I saw it performed on 'Later...with Jools Holland'. Possibly the catchiest song of the album, Rostam Batmanglij's keyboards produce some addictive hooks using a flute like sound. Based on frontman Ezra Koenig's travels to India and Africa, 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' features unprocessed guitar and falsetto vocals (that make me giggle) allow for the raw talent to shine through. 'M79' uses a combination of strings, keyboards, and subtle harmonies to produce a happy, sunny product. 'Campus' talks about, don't you know it, school. 'Bryn' just doesn't stick out to me. It doesn't have really any special sound. It just drones on and on with little variation that leave you with no memory of actually listening to the song. 'One (Blake's Got A New Face)' just flat out irritates me. The beginning is great, you know, with the drums and all, but once the keyboard kicks in and the backing vocals say 'Blake's got a new face' after Ezra does, really just doesn't fly with me. 'I Stand Corrected' is captivating. The keyboard at the beginning, reminiscent to the synthesizer in '505' by Arctic Monkeys, brings you in and the somber sounds hold you there. 'Walcott' paints a dismal picture of Cape Cod and Hyannis Port than one would expect, but the sound is far from it. It's a fan favourite probably because of it's catchy-sing-along nature. 'The Kids Don't Stand a Chance' closes the album with a gloomy, but hopeful sound. Chris Baio's bass sets the mood and keeps it that way throughout. The melancholy strings add the perfect effect and leave you saddened, possibly because the album is over. Although there are a few kinks, Vampire Weekend is a band that does not disappoint. With references to Peter Gabriel, India, and The Holy Roman Empire you know this album must be good. I have high hopes for the future of Vampire Weekend.
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"We want to bring things together that haven't been brought together before."-Ezra Koenig
Video for A-Punk
I took the picture myself. Sorry if it were a little ruff, but I hope you liked it.
8 comments:
Nice review, but the band can go drop the soap for all I care.
Keep goin' with the reviews and stoof though. 's Gewd.
Your review has me looking up this band and I am going to check out their music. Great stuff here
the picture is perfecto
Extremely AMAZING insightful excellent review doublehawk! Your perspective is quite unique.
That was the best music review I have ever read. You're easy to understand and straight to the point, leaving short, and truthful descriptions of each song. You tell it like it is, and show no mercy. There's no fluff, just hardcore review, and when you don't like something, you explain why so the reader can understand it. You definitely have a future in writing.
Erm, Drop soap?
But thanks everyone!
I don't know.
For most of it, I agree. Vampire Weekend is a breath of fresh air. However, I would say that "One(Blake's Got A New Face)" works. Yes, it can be a tad annoying, but I think that it adds to the point of the song.
I would say that one of my favorite songs on that album is "I Stand Corrected", "The Kid's Don't Stand A Chance", or "Oxford Comma". That last one just makes me wanna dance on the table a scream "WHO GIVES A F*** ABOUT AN OXFORD COMMA!!!!!"
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