Spoon continues their streak of solid albums and although less upbeat than some of their recent releases, it is a consistently enjoyable and interesting listen.
High Point Tracks: "Written In Reverse", "Who Makes Your Money"
Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Rating: 82/100
Sort of wacky, and at times brilliant, Odd Blood is certainly a departure from their debut but it is also an enjoyable and modest improvement. Show all
High Point Tracks: "O.N.E.", "Ambling Alp", "I Remember"
When the band's self titled debut dropped in early 2008, Vampire Weekend redefined indie pop by stripping the genre down to its bare basics. It was a reminder that melody, above all else, is what makes or breaks pop and their sophomore effort Contra only continues to highlight the profound song writing skill of front man Ezra Koenig. The album kicks off with the "Horchata" which introduces us to an evolved Vampire Weekend sound that builds upon the squeaky clean aesthetic of their first album by adding some synthesizers and drum pads, all without detracting from the intangibles that made the band's debut album so lovable.It is a little disconcerting at first to hear Vampire Weekend rely on all the staples of electronic music that have over-saturated the pop & indie landscapes, but Contra doesn't ever sound like its following any trends. Instead they use their synths and auto-tuned vocals like they were the first ones with the idea, and the result is a refreshing premium blend of sounds and genres that only expands the scope of their pop sensibility. When you look at the equation on paper (preppy indie, afro-beats, auto-tune) it seems like it would be a epic cluster fooey, but the flawless execution and good old fashioned songwriting skill hold the whole mess together. Contra is most certainly a testament to Vampire Weekend's talent, but more importantly it showcases their vision. A mere 12 days in, its reassuring that one of indie's most promising rising stars has stepped into the new decade with their eyes and ears on whats next. Contra is a perfect transition album from the 2000s to the 2010s, as it acknowledges the past but moves gracefully and energetically into the future. If Vampire Weekend has anything to say about it, I think we are in for another decade of great music.
High Point Tracks: "California English", "Cousins", "Giving Up The Gun"
This is just weird. Hot Chip teams up with Peter Gabriel to cover the Vampire Weekend track Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. I think it's pretty cool. Download the mp3.
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