Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut album has been anticipated by many for a while. Already an underground hit, the band delivers on their first release. Through their own self-promotion, and venues such as their online “Take Away Shows”, Vampire weekend managed to create a name and sound that many were talking about long before the official release of the album. After listening to this different release from these four former Columbia students, many will see what all the buzz is about.
Somehow combining multiple sounds—punk, reggae, and even some Graceland African-sounding arrangements—while still maintaining a simplistic instrumental approach, Vampire Weekend creates a distinct sound that works. The best part of these arrangements is that nothing is lost in the process: every guitar riff, every baseline is crisp and identifiable. Yet, all these elements do still work together. The songs are mostly quick, upbeat, and light on their feet, but nothing is repetitive.
The band’s essence comes out on tunes like “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa”, a song that is pregnant with Paul Simon Graceland sounds, and “Oxford Comma”, which shows the band’s refusal to create anything trite as well as showing some humor: “Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma?” But the album shines in its final moment. The last track “The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance” is a bit of a 60’s British pop throwback fused with a punk sound, with a continuous drumbeat and baseline that the guitar, keyboard, and strings all are forced to work around. “Kids” is the exclamation point that helps define the album’s overall feel and sound.
Others to look out for are “A-Punk” and “Mansford Roof”, two great tracks that only enhance the record. People have been talking about this band for a while. Now that their album is finally released, it is obvious why.
Reviewer: Alec Miran
