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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 5033197507620 Label: Bella Union Manufacturer: Bella Union Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Bella Union Release Date: June 16, 2008 Studio: Bella Union Sales Rank: 53
Amazon.co.uk 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - RATHER GOOD
HELLO? HI, THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM, THE SONGS ARE GOOD, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, IT MAKES YOU THINK.
Rating: - Honest opinion
After catching a track on last.fm and locating and putting the album in my amazon wishlist I got around to ordering it for myself, as no one else seems to do it for me :-(
I have given this a good listen a few times and I can honestly say that I think the album is great and the tunes are still going around in my head.
Rating: - Its not all bad
Yep you can reference My Morning Jacket, America.......its just an ok album. I can see how some have engaged this if its their first foray into the world of alt.country/americana/folk its inoffensive. You can put it on and the next thing you know 40 odd minutes have past and you have not been engaged at all.
The production is poor, too much reverb and a just a bit lyrically bland. They have potential so if they suffer second album syndrome they will disappear without trace but i do ... Read More
Rating: - Foxes Tick all the Right Boxes
It took me one listen to realize this debut is an absolute certified classic - the album has a purity of sound and spirit that makes it totally unique in 2008. In fact if you were looking for a debut album with similar qualities I'd have to go as far back to 1983 when REM released 'Murmur' - but of course Fleet Foxes will have their work cut out living up to the impact that band has had.
Although I may feel slightly uncomfortable comparing a fledgling band to an established institution ... Read More
Rating: - Restores my faith in harmony vocals
My music tastes usually have to include talented musical playing ability i.e.Porcupine Tree, Keith Jarrett, Jimi Hendrix, Weather Report etc so it unusual for me to rave about an album based on singing and harmony vocals but the Fleet Foxes have given me an album that I have not enjoyed so much for years. I dont do a bundle on singers apart from Jeff Buckley,Thom Yorke, early Neil Young and Lowell George but the phrasing of the vocals on these delightful songs really hit the spot. Could be too mellow ... Read More
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