Vampire Weekend - Contra
genre: indie rock
released: Jan. 12, 2010
label: XL Recordings
After taking a week to enjoy the holidays with friends and family, I figured I'd start off 2010 the right way by reviewing the album I've been dying to get my hands on for months now. I never listened to Vampire Weekend in 2008, but they were all I listened to since school started this past fall. The band's eponymous debut was a great record, and I couldn't wait to hear more new material. The New York-based foursome has not disappointed me one bit with Contra.
Vampire Weekend doesn't stray from the path on their sophomore release, sticking with their own indie sound, heavily influenced by both African and classical music. The arrangement of instruments throughout the album sound perfectly collaborated and frontman Ezra Koenig's lyrical prowess is evident through the entire 36-minute record. Just like the first album, they get in and get out on this record, with only one song lasting more than five minutes. They spend just enough time on each song, keeping you coming back and wanting more. The album is also produced by Rostam Batmanglij, the band's organ/guitar/piano playing mastermind behind the album's overall sound.
The album's opener, "Horchata", is a great song to set off the album, complete with xylophones and big beats to accompany Koenig's rhyme scheme to the song title. This one is a light sing-a-long which really sets the same mood I felt with their first album, one of fun and enjoyment. "White Sky" and "Holiday" keep the ball rolling, with their collaborative sounds and poppy vocals. "California English" distorts Koenig's vocals but speeds up the pace, giving us yet another indie-pop sing-a-long, while acknowledging the ever popular Philadelphia cheesesteak all at the same time. "Taxi Cab" slows the album back down, with a key-driven arrangement while Koenig's slowly drones along with the beauty of the piano. This song lacks a little something I can't put my finger on, but it doesn't capture me the way their other tracks do.
The next song, "Run", is slow like "Taxi Cab" but throws a beat and more drums into the mix, getting me back to where I left off. The album's single, "Cousins", is simply great. Fast, loud, fun. It's a great single and one of the strongest songs on the whole album. "Giving Up the Gun" and "Diplomat's Son" are the longest songs on the album, reaching almost 10 minutes between the two of them. While the songs are longer, they are still good listens with catchy beats and Koenig's infectious vocals. The record closes out with "I Think Ur a Contra", a slower ballad that is extremely vocally driven, with a constant drum and lighter instruments to back up the vocals. A good way to close out an already very strong effort.
I don't want to say this album is better than Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut quite yet, because that's a very tough task to undertake. But I am very pleased with what I've heard on Contra and Vampire Weekend has added another great album to a short but excellent repertoire. More and more listens to this album are needed to fully appreciate how good it is, but it is clearly evident from the start how good Vampire Weekend has become and how much more is ahead of them. I'll be waiting patiently for them to support this album on tour and when they come around to my area, you can expect to see me at the show.
Favorite tracks: Horchata, Holiday, Cousins
For fans of: Grizzly Bear, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Vampire Weekend's myspace
genre: indie rock
released: Jan. 12, 2010
label: XL Recordings
After taking a week to enjoy the holidays with friends and family, I figured I'd start off 2010 the right way by reviewing the album I've been dying to get my hands on for months now. I never listened to Vampire Weekend in 2008, but they were all I listened to since school started this past fall. The band's eponymous debut was a great record, and I couldn't wait to hear more new material. The New York-based foursome has not disappointed me one bit with Contra.
Vampire Weekend doesn't stray from the path on their sophomore release, sticking with their own indie sound, heavily influenced by both African and classical music. The arrangement of instruments throughout the album sound perfectly collaborated and frontman Ezra Koenig's lyrical prowess is evident through the entire 36-minute record. Just like the first album, they get in and get out on this record, with only one song lasting more than five minutes. They spend just enough time on each song, keeping you coming back and wanting more. The album is also produced by Rostam Batmanglij, the band's organ/guitar/piano playing mastermind behind the album's overall sound.
The album's opener, "Horchata", is a great song to set off the album, complete with xylophones and big beats to accompany Koenig's rhyme scheme to the song title. This one is a light sing-a-long which really sets the same mood I felt with their first album, one of fun and enjoyment. "White Sky" and "Holiday" keep the ball rolling, with their collaborative sounds and poppy vocals. "California English" distorts Koenig's vocals but speeds up the pace, giving us yet another indie-pop sing-a-long, while acknowledging the ever popular Philadelphia cheesesteak all at the same time. "Taxi Cab" slows the album back down, with a key-driven arrangement while Koenig's slowly drones along with the beauty of the piano. This song lacks a little something I can't put my finger on, but it doesn't capture me the way their other tracks do.
The next song, "Run", is slow like "Taxi Cab" but throws a beat and more drums into the mix, getting me back to where I left off. The album's single, "Cousins", is simply great. Fast, loud, fun. It's a great single and one of the strongest songs on the whole album. "Giving Up the Gun" and "Diplomat's Son" are the longest songs on the album, reaching almost 10 minutes between the two of them. While the songs are longer, they are still good listens with catchy beats and Koenig's infectious vocals. The record closes out with "I Think Ur a Contra", a slower ballad that is extremely vocally driven, with a constant drum and lighter instruments to back up the vocals. A good way to close out an already very strong effort.
I don't want to say this album is better than Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut quite yet, because that's a very tough task to undertake. But I am very pleased with what I've heard on Contra and Vampire Weekend has added another great album to a short but excellent repertoire. More and more listens to this album are needed to fully appreciate how good it is, but it is clearly evident from the start how good Vampire Weekend has become and how much more is ahead of them. I'll be waiting patiently for them to support this album on tour and when they come around to my area, you can expect to see me at the show.
Favorite tracks: Horchata, Holiday, Cousins
For fans of: Grizzly Bear, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Vampire Weekend's myspace
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