Michael* and friends: the new Vampire Weekend album

[Frederick]

Am I going to like this?!

[red_ed]

I thought it was alright, nothing particularly great. As I was telling someone else on lastfm, Ezra and friends have retained their distinctive afropop style, but have experimented with different influences and instruments to create a similar sound. My impression at first was that it was a very disjointed collection of singles, with differing styles and not as cohesive as their first album. However, the fact that it is called Contra makes me suspect the juxtaposition of particular styles throughout the album is part of a loose theme.

Tracks I found enjoyable include Horchata, Cousins, Holiday, Giving Up the Gun and Diplomat's Son.

In short... I don't know if you will like it or not

[Michael*]

First thought is that it doesn't all hang together quite as well as the first album did. What I've always liked about VW is that although they're a "guitar band" in the traditional sense, the guitar can disappear halfway through a song without being missed because they can segue so effortlessly into African or orchestral sounds. On this album they've branched out into electronic sounds as well (they've even sampled MIA on "Diplomat's Son") and although there are a few songs that mix it all together, it generally feels like there's more seperation between styles. It's more varied than the first one but it feels less precise.

I didn't think there were as many standout tracks as on "VW" but at the same time, the songs are good. They're jaunty but never twee, eccentric and ambitious without getting excessive. None of the songs outstay their welcome and you'll be able to whip through the album without skipping.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I like it, but I'm still waiting for it to grow on me in a big way. Since it's still early days, I reserve the right to rave about it in a couple of weeks' time

[Frederick]

Okay so I've been mostly enjoying the album. At times its too pretty for its own good and ends up sounding like background music for a boring BBC 2 documentary about skyscrapers but by and large, its fine.

[red_ed]

w00t! approval!

does anyone actually like or even understand California English?

[Frederick]

I spent exactly 0.00 minutes attempting to listen to the lyrics, let alone analyse them. Apparently none of the songs reference 'campus' though, which may or may not help some of their more overly zealous detractors sleep more easily.

[red_ed]

I liked Campus

[Michael*]

does anyone actually like or even understand California English?

From what I can make out, the lyrics are like "Oxford Comma" without the college references -

"Fake Philly cheesesteak but you use real toothpaste

Cause if that Tom's don't work, if it just makes you worse

Would you still lose all of your faith in the good earth?"

Or in other words - "Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma?"

[red_ed]

I read Pitchfork's review the other night and that's exactly what they said! Have you considered doing reviews before?

[Michael*]

Usually I'm totally dense when it comes to these things - that's about the one and only time I've been able to vaguely analyse any song. I guess it helps that Ezra's lyrics are so sharp.

But it sounds like somebody already beat me to it - just when I thought I was clever! :persuazn:

[red_ed]

Love your avatar btw

[Michael*]

I think the guys from the game should sue - first Arnie and Sly steal their look and then VW take their name

[Frederick]

Feel free to read this