Customer Reviews

Veckatimest

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

More and more often music is referenced by other bands- "oh, it sounds like so and so" or "so and so is the new blahblah". Grizzly Bear manages to sidestep these identifiers creating it's own music without falling into the pit of preconceived notions genres create. When I first started telling people about Grizzly Bear i'd find myself at a loss for words when asked to describe what it sounded like. Expansive, harmonic, folkish (we won't use the term "Freak Folk" here), rockish, but always elusively avoiding falling into one definitive sound, which is the strength of this album as well as the previous one. Ideally, bands will evolve and not keep putting out different versions of the same album year after year, and Veckatimest successfully takes the next step. While their first widely known album Yellow house was soaring and symphonic, Veckatimest manages to ground itself in earthier sounds. There's a richness to the layers and layers of harmony, the syncopation of the rhythms and the contrast of frontman Ed Droste's expansively melodic voice to Daniel Rossen's sharper timbre.
I admit it took several listenings to really begin to appreciate the sensitivity of the music on Veck. I was attached to the rich softness of Yellow house, the ease with which one could sink into the cradle of sound. Veckatimest is harder, a bit more masculine, but still possessing the uniqueness of their previous work. Funnily, I noticed this most when I would put my ipod on shuffle, and all of a sudden i'd find myself drawn into a song, and have to check to see who it was since I hadn't yet memorized all the songs on the album. Inevitably, it was Veckatimest.
This album is not a complete departure from their previous work, but rather a continuation, and therefore a worthwhile investment. It's rare that you find music that incorporates so many different elements into one beautiful package.

I would compare this album to Radiohead's In Rainbows in that its a towering example of a band at the top of its creative ability gelling together to create one cohesive vision. Whats amazing to me is that this is only Grizzly Bear's 2nd full-on album.

To me, this record has that intangible 'it' quality that you cant put your finger on what makes it so appealing, but its what keeps pulling you back listen after listen.

Describing the sound on this album is a bit difficult, but I would call it a rustic, ethreal, pop-folk. But I believe that the enjoyment comes not from whatever genre you want to call it, but at appreciating the meticulous song craft that creates what is, for me, the most memorable album in years.

Sorry Animal Collective, I love you guys and your new album is great, but you just got beat out for album of the year. Highest Recommendation.

As a listener of all music (and I really mean ALL) this contemporary album takes me everywhere I want to go, yet never sounds like any of its references. "Southern Point" is at times sentimental and nostalgic post-psychedelic rock, but slaps you in the face with something like you've never heard the second you get comfortable. Grizzly Bear gives its nods to the defining moments of 20th century pop with arching vocals and a tad of doo-wop (that they do so well) in singles "Two Weeks" and "Cheerleader." But as a music lover who is always interested in the less-conventional side of things, Grizzly Bear does that too--coming out of nowhere with songs like "Fine For Now" and "I Live With You" (perhaps my favorite of all). You're left asking yourself "What year is it? And what planet am I on?"

I can recall the first place I heard Grizzly Bear was in my local CVS. Just browsing, I heard their song "two weeks" and was jerked out of my headspace, said to my husband, "That song is amazing". Thought, too bad I can't find out who they are. Like a week later, heard the song in a car commercial, and was so excited that I had a way to identify it. Since identifying the band, I have repetitively listened to their free streaming songs. I have read some negative reviews that claim the music and anyone who gets it are music snobs. Maybe some are; maybe some are just music educated. I readily admit that I have a bachelor's degree in music, but as I have said I'm not a snob. You can take my word on this, because most classical musicians sneer at the very idea that rock music might hold a candle to classical. I think they are just apples and oranges. The thought behind classical pretension is that popular music isn't as complex and therefore not as good. I think that bands like Grizzly Bear are so appreciated, because it is that rare beast (pun intended). It is a band that deserves it's raves because it's songs show a real talent for song construction; a true understanding of melody, harmony, rythym, dynamics, phrasing, lyrics etc. I am truly transported, because their craftsmanship takes me to an elevated place. I can't even believe pretension even enters the discussion when we are constantly bombarded by an industry that almost has nothing to do with musicianship anymore. I'd really hate to see such a talented group of actual musicians' rating go down because of the same kind of elitism and reactionary hatred of elitism that exists in the classical music world. I, for one, believe that good music is good music, and Grizzly Bear, most definitely...is.

I found this band out of nowhere. I believe I was actually reccomended this from amazon. It's like nothing I've listened to, but I can't stop listening to it. I listened to "Two Weeks" and kicked myself to go out and buy the cd. When I listened to it a few times through, I completely abandoned listening to anything else.

Grizzly Bear is a slow, moody band, with strongly creative songs that resemble bands from the deep past. The only band I listen to that comes close to them is Dredg. They're their own genre I believe. I was afraid I'd buy the cd and only enjoy "Two weeks" but I was very impressed with the complimentary tracks. I enjoy all of them save "Hold Still". Aside from that track, I can listen to the whole cd day in day out. So I invite you to preview "Two Weeks" and maybe "Ready Able" and see if you can become drawn in.

If you like Radioheads slow emotionality, mixed with a floatback to Beatles/Doors era, then I think you'll get a lot out of Veckatimest. The great thing about it is that it's really cheap. It contains the most value out of a cd that I've seen in ages. Pick it up and let the music move you.

One of the few albums I listen to all the way through. Most of my friends didn't get it the first time they heard it but I kept playing it when they were around and now they love it. Definately an album that needs several spins before "it" hits you.

You really need to listen to this album around 10 to 12 times to understand how incredible and prolific Daniel Rossen is. The production is stupendous.

Been one of my regulars since buying it. Very well done. Beautiful at times, haunting at times, but always interesting and listenable.

This was certainly one of my favorite albums and it stands strong against some mighty hits like Broken Bells.

However this is not bubblegum pop and the tunes are harmonious and haunting but take a little while before they are grow on you. The music is complex and the melodies are certainly worth a listen and then some.

I have to admit my first experience with Grizzly Bear was their song 'Slow Life' on the Twilight 'New Moon' soundtrack, and while some people dismiss everything to do with the mass cultural phenomenom of Twilight, I have to say I am thankful to the music director of these films as they have introduced me to some wonderful music I might not have heard otherwise. After loving 'Slow Life' more than the movie it was in, I immediately bought this album and 'Yellow House'. 'Veckatimest' is my favorite of the two, and the highest praise I can give Grizzly Bear is this: no matter what sort of day I'm having, I can turn this on and I am swept away into a place of joy and peace. I have since termed their music my chill out mix, and I love it more every time I listen to it! My favorite songs on the album are 'Ready, Able', 'While You Wait For the Others', 'Cheerleader', and 'About Face', but the whole album is just breathtakingly gorgeous. It has a feel of 60's era psychedelic rock, the song 'Crimson and Clover' by Tommy James comes to my mind, but it is so much more as well. The layers of harmony and rhythm are haunting, and will stick in your mind forever! If you are trying to decide if you need it, trust me, you do. A must have!