- Artists:
- Fleet Foxes »
- Label:
- Bella Union »
Fleet Foxes’ inevitable success has been well telegraphed. As critical adulation gradually transforms into commercial gains, a path is easy to map: Band Of Horses get missed by the press here first time around, and we all play catch-up with Cease To Begin; then, Bon Iver’s initial ripples rise to waves earlier this year, not unexpectedly so given the wondrous For Emma, Forever Ago LP. Now, this Seattle five-piece – pitched between the aforementioned pair, and part of the Sub Pop family stateside (as are Band Of Horses) – make good by building on the foundations laid by said predecessors. Fleet Foxes is a collection of understated Americana offerings, each punctuated by Robin Pecknold’s truly captivating voice. It’s a slight, sketchy album, songs skeletal but rich of emotion, each meandering to its own pace, a shuffle to a finish line.
So why the amazing reviews, the held-breath at shows, the reverence from all corners? After all, Fleet Foxes aren’t breaking boundaries, pushing envelopes, et cetera; they’ve merely concocted a well-realised album of twanged strings, gentle percussion and vocal harmonies to soundtrack your dreams. But… that’s the point, really. By not attempting to progress their chosen art, instead zooming in on what makes it so very appealing in the first place, Fleet Foxes have concentrated their craft and provided an album to aid the drifting to Nod, the passing of time slow and steady. Pecknold’s lyrics and his delivery of them become the focal point of the LP, his tales unravelling with barely a whisper of bombast to drown them out, bandmates on hand to flesh the bones, to colour up to the lines but never over them.
His voice often echo-drenched, Pecknold’s holding of the listener’s attention is quite something, a remarkable achievement given the downplayed tone of the instrumentation around him; on ‘Meadowlarks’ words give way to mere noises, hums and moans, and still the hairs won’t lie flat; ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’ is man and instrument singular in unison, an acoustic tapped and strummed to perfection. These songs, there’s really very little to them; there’s really very little to write about them, critically. They’re not big nor clever, and as passionate as they are the delivery and pace remains one-dimensional throughout. Yet still Fleet Foxes doesn’t leave the stereo. Three, four, five times through – these songs resonate over and over until they stick for good. A sign of a great record: words fail but a feeling remains.
‘White Winter Hymnal’ – much-viewed on YouTube and listened to on MySpace – is a neat summary of what Fleet Foxes offer across this debut in just two and a half minutes: cheerful strum, enveloping harmonies, drumming that’s only just there, tapping away with a persistent thud in the background. Come its end only voices can be heard, everything about them turned down to a whisper. Analysis of its lyrics reveals death – “Michael you would fall, and turn the white snow as red as strawberries” – but the beauty of music like this is that you can read it as deeply as what suits. There’s no need to explore the caverns if the carvings on the entrance are what you’ve come for. Besides, Fleet Foxes is almost certain to receive repeat plays from those it finds a home with – indescribable perfectly though its ‘X’ factor is, nevertheless it keeps its audience on a tight leash.
The door may have been more than slightly ajar for Fleet Foxes prior to this release, courtesy of aforementioned peers having the decency to attract plaudits aplenty, but even if it were locked tight there’s enough magic within these eleven tracks to prise any bolts clean from the timber. On they stroll, through into the light of a thousand hand-claps and audiences always on the grow, always keeping up with only themselves. Seems to have worked well so far.
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I'm sure they are amazing at playing all there boaring songs though and perfected their boaring craft down to a tee.
They are quite loved by some though and fair play to them it isn't terrible at all.
'boaring'?
explain.
I listened to it quite a few times
and non of the songs stood out for me. It was all a bit bland and I felt it had been done so many times before in ways I have enjoyed that there wasn't really any need for it. Although its no bad thing they don't push boundrys and make pretty tunes on thir own terms, I just found it dull and repetative.
but... 'boaring'?
Wut?
I believe
to put it simply - dude can't spell. [See: boundrys, thir, repetative etc]
Anyway, the line - 'There’s no need to explore the caverns if the carvings on the entrance are what you’ve come for'
Very nice sir.
yeah my spellin sucks
but I did see them making alot of holes
don't let the basterds
grind you down ;)
...
animal reference?
It should liven up the debate a little anyway hehe
cos this band make me snore....zzzzzzzz
..
i love this record..probably my favourite of the year so far.
I think TRW's assessment is spot on
but I absolutely do downgrade grade FF for having songs with "very little to them." Sometimes I think PF takes a mediocre band (like CYHSY) and hypes 'em to death just to see if they can. I'd still give it a 7/10...so, y'know, different stokes 'n all that.
dont make me change my home page to pitchfork Mike Diver
they don't answer back hehehe ;-P
8/10 is a good score
I like this album a lot.
Brilliant live too!
instant
classic
i wouldn't say 'classic'
i'd say 'good album'.
the Sun Giant EP was *lovely*
i hope this is as delicious
It is
although Iv heard a few people claims it to not be as good.
Personally I think it is as good if not better!
above average
Midlake's Trials was way better and yet was somewhat ignored in many quarters.
This is like all the press gang have got together and desperately sought a summer record and come up with this...
Tis good, but not great.
Its one of the
best albums I've heard this year
The Trials of Van Occupanther
just flew over the heads of most.
Which is a shame, as it was an honest to goodness great album and revivalist of acts such as Fleetwood Mac and Dire Straights, sounds that just haven't been around for over 20 years and were actually a lot better than we remember.
My Favourite album
of the year so far.
I was put of by the hype and wasn't interested. I saw them live and was completely blown away.
Brilliant songs incredibly executed.
This doesn't apply to all naysayers, but
I get the feeling that some people dislike a popular album with SUCH enthusiasm that they are kinda doing it for effect.
'Look at me I'm dead different to you zombies' etc.
first three tracks are alright
then it becomes duller than band of horses doing a neil young cover on a ukulele.
good then
You have convinced me I'm going to get this now based opn nthing but others opinions.
Am I £50 woman?
Do people still say that?
It's like the Panda Bear album from last year.
It's a wonderful sound that they make, but there are not many actual tunes in there.
It's like a scrap book of ideas, all of which sound like fragments from a larger whole.
I've heard the name banded around the lot
but I've yet to hear them. The words 'gentle percussion' and 'acoustic' aren't tempting me to.
except that the last two tracks
are probably the best.
well the artwork is the same
but the Panda Bear album was my favourite album of last year. I think the Panda Bear album has some truly special "tunes" and some of the hookiest melodies languishing in the drawn out dreamscapes. 'Take Pills' is incredible, for instance.
Each To His Own
The Beach House / Fleet Foxes gig in Leeds on Sunday will certainly go down as one of the best gigs I attended in 2008. Both quite spellbinding live bands, lovely people, and providers of 2 of 2008's most memorable albums....for me at least.
yeah thats what I think too
'It's a wonderful sound that they make, but there are not many actual tunes in there.'
..
the melodies throughout 'fleet foxes' are beautifully constructed, and deceptively simple. i am surprised that on dis of all places there is a mention of 'tunes' as some of the most popular releases on the site are mostly without..
haha
that photo is quality street
This album is excellent
Band of Horses are overrated dullards. The Manchester Roadhouse gig was so good I didn't need to urinate anymore, and I did when Beach House had finished. A good sign.
This band seems to be getting HUGE pushes from pretty much everyone.
Every record store i've been in has been doing the big sell, even the chains. I've heard the EP and it was pretty good, but i'm not entirely convinced it's up there with the best of the year so far. They seem to be making all the right noises though, and appealing to quite a wide demographic, which i guess is a skill in itself.
Exactly my thoughts
When I listened to this. A bit like Van Occupanther but nowhere near as good.
they rule
end of.
Hype
There's been so much pushing of this band lately. They're great, but not "GREAT!!!!!!!". I'd give it a 9/10, but this year's 10/10's for me this year are Sun Kil Moon's "April" and No-Man's "Schoolyard Ghosts"
SKM got a belated review and No-Man....nary a mention. :(
And Sun Giant is better than the album simply because it's got "Mykonos" on it.
average going on poor
i have to admit i did like bits of that EP but this album is massively overrated - its boaring...sorry boring and extremely safe - like 2008s answer to the magic numbers...in fact i can't believe the album i heard is the same one that is getting reviewed- maybe it isn't. buy the sun kil moon record instead
A bit harsh
But yes, buy the Sun Kil Moon if you've only got enough cash for one album.
If you've got enough for two, get No-Man too.
If you're loaded, get Fleet Foxes. :)
First listen...
Like their sound, not sure if the hype is warranted but then it could be a grower - 7/10 at the mo.
Love the Beach boys sound tho :)
It's
a bit disappointing really isn't it? They COULD be amazing though given a bit of time.
best
of the year so far...9/10
hype is a funny thing...but this is my summer soundtrack so to speak...love the beach boys lush feel to it...
hype
think you dudes have your y fronts in a twist again..a hype is something that has exposure through exaggerated claims made via advertising. for those of you who care, fleet foxes were not hyped by anyone. they played shows that freaked people out, they went to sxsw, freaked people out by their performances and then the press heard the album promos.Little labels like Bella Union cannot hype things, and it is rather sad that you all feel this has been hyped. i mean if you dont like it thats fine, who cares man, but dont talk bullshit and say its hype just cos you dont like it ....for me, its adorable and is the album of the year to date.
Hear hear!
Eloquently put! Great album too.
having listened to this album again.....
i was probably wrong in my initial post. it has certainly grown on me and i'd now put it in the 'quite good' bracket
...
this is certainly .....
one of the best (5) album of the year (2008)
hypocrites
ha i love that Fleet Foxes tour was ' DiS sponsored' ' but the boss of DiS hates them! That smells quite brown.
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