Customer Reviews

Vampire Weekend

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(63)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

A daunting task reviewing a disc that has already been hailed by many as the first important disc of 2008. Such is the case of the debut from Vampire Weekend, 4 Columbia students gone preppy-indie to catch the eyes and ears of David Byrne, Lou Reed and aging hipsters alike.

It was a few months ago when I first read David Bryne's glowing review of their highly circulated CD-R, so naturally I was cautiously interested to say the least. Like with many other early-praised NYC bands (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Strokes, Clap Your Hands, The National, Interpol, MGMT), Vampire Weekend meet most of the expectations head on, and give us a few surprises in the process. The first of which is a pretty obvious nod to Afro-pop stylings as well as a love for Paul Simon and (naturally) later Talking Heads recordings.

The first track is the lead single, Mansard Roof (google it). A track as studious as it sounds, with tight changes, nice lyrics, and crisp melodies, a perfect pop moment that would make fans of Belle and Sebastian squeal into their book bags. The band then up the ante with Oxford Comma, again, just as collegiate friendly, but with a little more bite to it. In it they even manage to drop a well-pronounced F-bomb and make it sound like the Queen's English. The overall result is my favorite track off the disc. The song A Punk (months already on itunes) continues the impressive string of songs at three now, A Punk carries a bit more Strokes flavor to it in its brevity and faster pacing, but its pace doesn't seem foreign at all. The Paul Simon-isms finally rear their head with the track Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. I immediately think of You Can Call Me Al, with that overbearing saxophone and stop-start melody. Even though that maybe be purely unfounded, I'm pretty sure others will hear what I'm talking about. Maybe it's the worldly guitar line, or it could be the vocal stop-start of the verses? After it's all said and done, it's nothing the hipsters won't be able to swallow. M79 brings in a harpsichord sounding synth as its calling card and does so without becoming annoying. Campus is another Stroke styled stroke, right down to the melancholy and wishful tone of the lyrics and for me another one of the better songs. A few more tracks that don't quite impress as much, fill the gaps until the album's closer, The Kids Don't Stand a Chance. The track adds a little bit of reggae into the repertoire but again, it isn't enough to turn me completely off. It just somehow works for these guys, call them lucky or smart, or both.

If anything, the afro-pop, New England fashion sense (docksiders), and even the reggae, pump up the irony of this very collegiate group of boys and their appeal to fans of all types of music, especially indie music. It may be a stretch to say everyone will like some part of this record, but I found most of it pretty darn enjoyable and that in this day and age is getting more rare than not. So not a perfect record, but I'll agree with the masses in calling it the first important record in a very young 2008. Have fun trying to get into their upcoming tour, I have a feeling it's going to be quite popular

I've really had enough of people criticizing this band because of how simple and "poppy" their sound is. Creating quality, ridiculously catchy pop songs is an art in itself. These guys write infectious pop songs, and they keep things interesting musically too by adding beautiful string arrangements, synths, and quirky, creative drumming. This is a solid album that, as with any truly good album, does not necessitate the use of a "skip" button. I've listened to this record dozens of times and it still holds my interest with every listen. This band is not the most innovative indie band on the scene, but that's obviously not what they are going for. If you want music that is more unique sounding, or less accessible, or whatever, then that's fine, it is out there. This, however, is just solid, fun, catchy music that really holds up over repeated listens. This band is light years away from the run of the mill pop-rock bands out there, and they have truly established their own voice in a flooded market.

Vampire Weekend built quite a buzz via the internet and in their native New York in 2007, and their debut album was hugely anticipated. The question was whether the album could possibly live up to the pre-release hype and expectations.

On "Vampire Weekend" (11 tracks; 34 min.), the band immediately crashes in with a great "Mansard Roof" (lasting all of 2 min.), and immediately moves on to "Oxford Comma", another great song. But the best is yet to follow, first on "A-Punk", another very short, but irresitable upbeat ska-flavored track, with a delicious bridge that features Mellotron (or so it sounds) and a thumping bass. After that comes "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa", with sounds lifted straight from Paul Simon's "Graceland" and irreverent lyrics (on being attrached to a particular girl: "But this feels so unnatural/Peter Gabriel too", haha!). Incidentally all of these first 4 tracks were a single in either the US and/or the UK, and as a bloc it makes for a perfect opening of this album. After that, things are a bit less urgent, although the music remains fab. Other highlights include "Campus" (with great lines like "Then I see you/You're walking cross the campus/Cruel professor/Studying romances/How am I supposed to pretend/I never wanna see you again"), "One (Blake's Got a New Face)" and the album closer "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance". In all, this is a terrific collection of songs. The band makes its point, and moves on to the next song, and before you know it, you find yourself playing this again and again. Just terrific, and this is sure to make my "top albums of the year" list later this year.

I hadn't seen Vanpire Weekend in concert yet, until I caught them at Bonnaroo this past weekend, and for some reason it didn't connect. The band sounded "off" for some reason. Or maybe it was the massive crowd that outsized the band's sound. I'll be seeing them again later this year at the Monolith Festival (a much smaller setting than Bonnaroo) and I'll be very interested to see how the band performs there. Meanwhile, their debut album is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Some of the negative reviews and comments for this band are ridiculous. People are saying they're hyped, preppy, talentless, ripoff artists. Blah Blah Blah
I don't care about the industry,the record label, what's indie or not, who they sound like (or try to sound like), what they look like, the band name, ect. All the music snobs out there annoy me. If you don't like the album fine. Critique the band's music if anything. Save all the BS. Vampire Weekend is catchy. The songs get stuck in my head. That's how I choose what to listen to. The songs don't have much guitar, but the drums and rhythms are good. And the singer has a good voice. The new album Contra I like almost as much as this one. Hopefully they keep up the good work.

I think the best way to sum up Vampire Weekend is to describe a discussion between a fan and a non-fan on a music blog.

Non-fan: Seriously, aren't you guys, you know, looking for some meaning and depth on the next album these guys make?

Fan: No, why?

With an excellent percussion, some simple guitars, and a lead singer whose vocals settle over words like a floating linen sheet, Vampire Weekend's sunny disposition and cheery attitude is backed up with some nice production values and fun songwriting. This album made more happy unicorns and rainbows shoot out of my stereo than any Belle and Sebastian album ever did (and that's saying a lot) but the band keeps everything together with tightly writ pop songs that permeate the air with a wonderful atmosphere of "Good times were had by all."

The other reviewers on this page seem grumpy that they weren't given something a bit more substance filled or even something less happy. Get over yourselves, mates! For every time you hit Kid A on repeat, there's a good antidote to that seriousness - some good old fashioned musical entertainment. I don't see why we have to ask any more than that - with talent like VW has already expressed, I'm only awaiting tomorrow's release of Contra, their second album, with even more bated breath.

OK, so this album has officially been out for three weeks and already I feel like I arrived late to the party. Yeesh. I listen to tons of new music, but somehow missed all the so-called hype about this release, and really only checked it out because Vampire Weekend played PopScene in SF recently. A quick check at KCRW.org shows that it's still high on Nick Harcourt's current favs.

I admit, I was expecting the usual indie darling's college radio fare à la Clap Your Hands Say Yeah [shudder]: silly, ingenuine, self-consciously outré junk for the black lipstick crowd.

Quite the opposite. I mean, when was the last time you heard harpsichord, flute, cello & bongos in American pop music? Been awhile folks. Admittedly, you'll either love or hate this album. There's definitely roots here in dub-afrobeat-rocksteady-reggae-whatever, but comparisons to Paul Simon's Graceland are laughably off the mark. Only one track--One (Blake's Got A New Face)--nods to that Ladysmith Black Mambazo sound so associated with Graceland, and is the weakest (and jokiest) track on the disc IMHO.

Think Belle & Sebastian or The Magic Numbers with some occasional Afro mojo.

Strongest tracks: Mansard Roof, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, Cape Cod, M79 & Walcott.

I've had a strange, irregular series of reactions to this band.

I heard that Vampire Weekend was the Hot New Thing, but didn't get around to investigating the music for awhile.

Then I heard they would appear on "Saturday Night Live" in another week or two, so I looked up their MySpace profile. I don't remember if I streamed more than one track, but "Oxford Comma" instantly knocked me out. Loved it. Still love it. The nifty inverted chords, à la Brian Wilson...the delightful hook of those goofy, sixth-interval jumps ("I've seen those English dramas to-OOH/They're cru-OOL").... I probably listened to that song a dozen times within a day or two.

But then I saw the group perform on SNL and...kerplunk. They were one of the "greenest" acts I've ever seen on the show. Came off like they'd been playing together for six months, tops. Just seemed like college dorks playing a local house party for beer, laughs and maybe a cute girl's phone number. They couldn't have been more "white boy," which is odd since their songs have such strong ska/calypso/African elements. And I didn't like how they even emphasized their nerdiness in such a contrived way, with the preppy sweaters, the repressed body language and all that. And...the little creeps didn't even play "Oxford Comma"! They were lucky to have a professional string section onstage with them, because I really don't think they could have handled this large-scale venue on their own.

Still, I bought the album anyway. I put off grinding all the way through it for a couple of months, but I listened in bits and pieces.

I finally gave it a full, intense listen about a week ago. And it's simply not a keeper. The lyrics can be clever and the music is an interesting mix of styles, but that's not enough. "Oxford Comma" is still magical, but I don't enjoy any other song nearly as much. The sequencing is also a problem -- the first three tracks are the strongest, so the rest of the disc feels like a downhill slide.

Hearing this album, I'm immediately thrown back to my college days -- yes, I'm dating myself here -- when everybody around me "partied" with Zenyatta Mondatta and I Just Can't Stop It (two albums which I never bought myself). It's particularly hard not to think of the English Beat while hearing "A-Punk." Except the Beat and Police had some genuine rhythmic muscle and groove, whereas Vampire Weekend just daintily flits about. For beer, laughs and maybe a cute girl's phone number.

I'll be very surprised if this band sustains its buzz with future releases. They're probably nice guys, but they're a hype all the same.

This year's freshman-dorm album. A year or two ago, maybe it was the Shins, Death Cab for Cutie or Rilo Kiley. Now it's Vampire Weekend. Next year...who knows.

The vinyl edition of Vampire Weekends debut self-titled album is a great record. This album is great and owning it on vinyl is even better. The sound is amazing and barely has that crackle that is on my older albums. The nicest thing is the consideration that went into the packaging. The album comes with a digital download that allows the listener the convenience of both digital and a traditional listening system. The best of both listening worlds.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Self-Titled, XL Recordings.

(AKA: the summer record that I'm so NOT OK with you NOT owning!)

You don't have to be a hipster to fall in love with Vampire Weekend. They can make you happy, too!

I first heard about them a few months back when they were on Saturday Night Live. I was like "Who?" then I expected a hardcore something-or-other. I was ready to flip the channel over to MadTV.

Instead, I almost go out of bed and started dancing.

The name is deceiving- no black eye-make-up, no gothic drudgery. The music is more like a redux of Paul Simon's poppy stuff, add in a hint of Bob Marley.

The lyrics seem to have much significance to the writers, but not to us. Usually this style of writing bothers me, but somehow they make it work. It is like a peek into someone's personal diary that they wrote on a Manhattan cross-town bus.

For the faint of ear, there is a bit of harsh language, but it isn't all over the record. There is very little spiritual significance or words of eternal worth. But there are good feelings. It is a silly fun happy record that aches and oozes of summertime in New York City. It deserves to be played at every barbecue and picnic.

Recommendation: Buy the record. Besides the artistic obligation to the independents, it is extremely listenable the whole way through. If you want to sample one track, try downloading "M79".

CAUTION: be careful listening to the record while shopping, or you may find yourself in Urban Outfitters getting properly outfitted with some new chucks and Levi supper-skinny jeans! (And asking the clerk "Do you carry Madras?")

Clever and truly enjoyable. You can hear influences but nothing that says "these guys sound exactly like...". It is a perfect album for working out, for a nice drive on a warm/sunny day, for a clam bake on the shore. Perfect summer tunes. It is refreshing to put a disc on and hear the difference between songs. After reading some of the other reviews, I find that some people are not getting this band. Surely these are not people who appreciate Indie/Alternative type music but bought this album because they heard that these guys had a really awesome video out. If you are looking for a great summer album, lacking pretension and the cookie-cutter version of Alternative/Pop, well, then this is your band. This is a group that I will keep an eye on in future.