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 Definitely Worth Listen to, Again and Again May 18, 2010
Vampire Weekend is a relatively new band from New York City and have had much hype recently with their self-titled release. They are much talked about on the internet and have done a great David Letterman appearance, adding to all the buzz about them. They have a relaxed sense with their afro-beats and rhythms that's gaining fans daily. Ezra Koenig's vocals are sweet in a charming and laid-back way with his lyrics about the typical relationships, girls and cheating.
What makes them stand out among tons of other bands doing the same thing is their use of a variety of instruments that fluff up their catchy tunes. They almost remind me of a modern version of the Beach Boys done with an eclectic twist and more interesting with the use of the numerous instruments. Definitely worth listening to.
I like it, That's what matters Apr 25, 2010
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 and I enjoy listening to them. That's how I choose what to listen to. They may not be super talented musicians, but that's ok. 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.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The perfect weekend... Feb 05, 2010
Coffee house `sophistication' meets college rock `nerdy sheik' wrapped up in an atmosphere strait out of independent film goddess Sophia Coppola's wildest dreams; Vampire Weekend as a band is pretty much a dream come true.
My dream come true.
It's funny because I've never really given this breed of indie-rock a chance before a friend (ex-friend) gave me a copy of Vampire Weekend's debut album, and even then I was kind of certain it was going to disappoint and so it sat in my car for nearly a year before I gave it a shot. After I gave it one listen I was hooked and it stayed in my car stereo for quite a while. In fact, this album is one of my favorite albums in any genre. There is only one track is dislike (`One') and only three that don't grab me as some sort of perfection (`Mansard Roof', `Cape Cod' and `Bryn'), but those three are still great songs.
Yes, this album is a complete pleasure.
I'll get my feelings about `One' out of the way. I hate the chorus. I actually like the musical arrangement and the verse structure is fine (albeit a little bland) but that whiny delivery of `Blake's Got A New Face' is just like fingernails on a chalkboard to be. The song just doesn't work for me.
But that's just me.
Now, I really like `Mansard Roof', so when I say that is doesn't strike me as perfection, that is all I mean. I like it, but it isn't perfect. Maybe it's the length, because it album feels like half a song. I do think that it is a great way to open the album because it really lets you know who this band is and what you are in store for. Maybe the fact that it is preceded by the glorious `Oxford Comma' is part of the reason why this song doesn't wow me as much as it does others. I also really like `Cape Cod', although I find the verses to be less engaging than they could have been. The chorus is wonderful though (I love the falsettos, and the slight breakdown during "it feels so unnatural" is a small delight). I like the almost Irish folk sound to the opening of `Bryn'. Outside of that musical interlude (they use it after the choruses are sung as well) is the most interesting part of the song though. I don't really find the rest of the song to be that noteworthy; and like `Mansard Roof', it also feels like half a song. If it had been elaborated on a tad I may enjoy it even more.
Like I said, they are not perfect, but I still like them a lot.
So, now we have the perfection, or, as I should say, the rest of the album. `Oxford Comma' is utterly spellbinding. The musical arrangement is so chill yet it has a soft bounce that engages the listener, and the lyrical content (while explicit in parts) is weaved so magically by Ezra Koenig that it becomes an instrument all it's own. This is the definition of coffee house rock. `A-Punk' has that punk rock vibe (and the vocals have Sublime and the like written all over them) but there is still that chilled atmosphere (the chorus is simply brilliant) that makes this signature Vampire Weekend.
When I mentioned Sophia Coppola in the outset of this review, I was referring to her vision behind `Marie Antoinette', and I recall that film mostly because of the magnificent opening musical arrangement found on `M79'. This song is probably my favorite on the album, for it is so unique, so impressively visionary and just effortlessly captivating. Each and every part of the song is superb.
I love `Campus'. It captures college love beautifully, and it sounds impeccable. I love the different side of the band found on `I Stand Corrected'. There is a real subdued quality here that they play with flawlessly. Sure, they interject energy into the song in stages, but it shows that they understand how to play around within their own comfort zone. `Walcott' is just fun. It opens with high-octane piano keys and then carries on with such a catchy flow.
And I love Cape Cod by the way!
For me, there was no better way to end the album than to insert their own spin on reggae with the infectious (and equally outstanding) `The Kids Don't Stand a Chance'. I say reggae, and before anyone attacks me for that, you can't really deny the influence. Listen to the way he sings this song, as if he were sharing the stage with Bob Marley. Ezra carries this song to new heights, and the lyrical message is poignant and expertly delivered. They are always true to their own sound (thus the expressive musical arrangements) but they broke out of their box with this one.
Applause.
I don't think I can rave this album enough. I love their sophomore album as well, but it is not as good as this one. I could listen to this on repeat for days and days and days (I have and I will).
Great debut album from much buzzed about band. Jan 16, 2010
The self-titled debut album from Vampire Weekend is a fun- albeit very short- exercise in Afrobeat. The indie rock foursome is like Weezer- if Weezer had discovered the Talking Heads instead of Kiss. The album starts off with the unusually upbeat and rather brief "Mansard Roof" then leads into "Oxford Comma" in which the guys quote lines from Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz's 2004 hit "Get Low" (I'm not making this up). Their breakthrough hit "A-Punk" is on here as well as the radio staple "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa". However, the best song on this album is "One (Blake's Got A New Face)". As much as I love this album, lyrically I haven't got the slightest idea of what they are singing about...and that's even after I've read the lyric sheets.
0 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 I wanted to like it............ Jan 14, 2010
Wow...this is bad. Wanted to like it after hearing an interview with the band..cool guys..crappy music.Allowing so called college radio to decide what's talent is a greater sin than allowing 13 year old teenage girls to decide who's the next "American Idol"
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