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Editorial Review:
It's now twenty years since grunge emerged from then culturally isolated Seattle and Fleet Foxes, the eponymous debut album from the city's latest heroes, demonstrates just how much American independent rock has mutated in that time. The five young members of Fleet Foxes make up a very different sort of rock band, describing their own music as "baroque harmonic pop jams". Even that understates the depths of the quintet's effortless vocal harmonies and gently woozy, folky feel. Of their contemporaries only the enigmatic Midlake and My Morning Jacket at their most fragile come close, but neither could have cooked up the Beach Boys spiritual of "White Winter Hymnal" or its more powerful companion piece "Ragged Wood". In fact Fleet Foxes happily admit to aspiring to an earlier tradition--not just obvious antecedents like the Byrds, the Association, Neil Young and, especially, David Crosby's famously unfocussed solo album If Only I Could Remember My Name but ancient English folk songs and their later American descendents. All were hunted and gathered from the internet--songwriters Robin Pecknold and Skye Skjelset are barely in their twenties. Add a host of unlikely instruments and the results are stunning, the complete antithesis of mainstream stadium indie that has followed Arcade Fire. Still, the cover features a Bruegel painting of peasants that might have graced any Black Sabbath sleeve. In that way at least Fleet Foxes salute a local tradition. -—Steve Jelbert
Signed to Sub Pop in the US and Bella Union in the UK, Seattle five-piece Fleet Foxes have tremendous support in releasing their self-titled debut LP. Musically, the band derives inspiration from the greats of the 1960s US folk explosion and more traditional pop influences, all of which is treated with a sophistication and modernity specific to Fleet Foxes alone. This debut sees the band tackling chamber pop, somewhat Morricone-influenced soundtrack-esque tracks and gentle folksy psychedelia. Lovers of Akron/Family, Fairport Convention and The Beach Boys will be enthralled.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Don't believe the hype Disappointing, meandering, just doesn't get going or into a groove. Reminds me of a band trying too hard to be different but never hitting the right notes. I tried to like it but it's really very dull and sounds like a demo.
One of my 2008 faves One of my 2008 faves, never far from my stereo. The only downer is it hasn't got the song "Mykonos" on it, it would have been a 5 star album then!!! worth a listen.
"Just plain awful..." Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. So-called music "critics" are wetting themselves with excitement over this, and I can only assume they don't get out much! It's just plain awful. Soulless. Tuneless. Useless. Say goodbye now to the Fleet Foxes. They won't be around for much longer.
If reverb was talent If Reverb was talent and Beach boy parodies were new then this would be a work of unparalleled genius. Dont get conned like I did. Strictly for people with record collections that start in 1993.
