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Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend (Self-Titled) (XL Recordings)
Released: January 29th, 2008
2008 saw the birth of one of the most popular alternative bands of the past decade, Vampire Weekend. Consisting of four members (Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Thomson and Chris Baio), these Columbia graduates shocked the internet and the world with their debut release.
They created popular alternative and indie-pop through the use of baroque styles, world genres, and classical musical. Introducing elements that were rarely seen in alternative music, Vampire Weekend used unique arrangements in order to create some of the most fresh and creative alternative music of the 2000s.
Vampire Weekend's debut album is certified Gold (sold over 500K copies) in the United States and Platinum (sold over 300K copies) in the UK.
Tracklist (Singles contain *):
1. Mansard Roof*
2. Oxford Comma*
3. A-Punk*
4. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa*
5. M79
6. Campus
7. Bryn
8. One (Blake's Got a New Face)
9. I Stand Corrected
10. Walcott
11. The Kids Don't Stand a Chance*
The first four songs is a near perfect start for an alt-pop record. Beautiful strings, woodwinds, bright keys and fluttering guitar patterns not only cover the first few tracks, but the whole project.
The simple keyboard stabs on "Oxford Comma" create a straightforward and wonderful melody. Ezra's vocals reign above the instrumentation nicely, using his cadence to alter basic lyrics...
"His accent sounded fine to me-HE, to me-HE"
"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" was full of clean guitar lyrics and worldly percussion. Drawing from African influence, congas and shakers dominated the percussion realm on one the albums top hits.
Guitar work shines the brightest on "Mansard Roof" and "A-Punk".
Both contain very quick and sharp guitar melodies that are catchy and irresistible. "A-Punk", one of their most popular songs, is still constantly played today and regarded as one of the best alternative songs of the past 10 years. The drumming is fast and pumping while the bass-line is driving. Ezra's unique vocal stands atop an instrumentation that allowed "preppy" college kids to head-bang.
The album's deep cuts were as impressive as the singles.
"Campus" discusses college romance alongside a pumping kick-drum and smooth bass-line. A guitar solo complements one of the albums hidden gems.
Although it wasn't a single, "Walcott" is one the most energetic on the whole project. The shinning piano hits work perfectly next to another fast guitar performance. A string section builds the song beautifully to another exciting instrumental section. Hands down, one of my favorite Vampire Weekend songs of all-time.
The closing track "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" allows the listener to get another taste of Ezra's genius through the use of his lyrics and songwriting. Discussing primal issues in the world, Ezra carves some of the most gorgeous and memorable lyrics ever heard on an alternative record.
Throughout Vampire Weekend's debut album we hear elements from many musical genres blending together to create a whole new sound. They developed/progressed the concept of college-rock and turned it into something attractive on a worldly scale. Their beautiful and gorgeous melodies sat nicely next to Ezra's staple vocal on each track. At the same time, each song allowed room for different styles. From indie-rock all the way to baroque pop, this album contained many hits in an array of colors and flavors.
Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut not only shocked the music world, but it allowed listeners to get a glimpse into the mind and sound of one of the best alternative bands of the 21st century.
The simple keyboard stabs on "Oxford Comma" create a straightforward and wonderful melody. Ezra's vocals reign above the instrumentation nicely, using his cadence to alter basic lyrics...
"His accent sounded fine to me-HE, to me-HE"
"Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" was full of clean guitar lyrics and worldly percussion. Drawing from African influence, congas and shakers dominated the percussion realm on one the albums top hits.
Guitar work shines the brightest on "Mansard Roof" and "A-Punk".
Both contain very quick and sharp guitar melodies that are catchy and irresistible. "A-Punk", one of their most popular songs, is still constantly played today and regarded as one of the best alternative songs of the past 10 years. The drumming is fast and pumping while the bass-line is driving. Ezra's unique vocal stands atop an instrumentation that allowed "preppy" college kids to head-bang.
The album's deep cuts were as impressive as the singles.
"Campus" discusses college romance alongside a pumping kick-drum and smooth bass-line. A guitar solo complements one of the albums hidden gems.
Although it wasn't a single, "Walcott" is one the most energetic on the whole project. The shinning piano hits work perfectly next to another fast guitar performance. A string section builds the song beautifully to another exciting instrumental section. Hands down, one of my favorite Vampire Weekend songs of all-time.
The closing track "The Kids Don't Stand a Chance" allows the listener to get another taste of Ezra's genius through the use of his lyrics and songwriting. Discussing primal issues in the world, Ezra carves some of the most gorgeous and memorable lyrics ever heard on an alternative record.
Throughout Vampire Weekend's debut album we hear elements from many musical genres blending together to create a whole new sound. They developed/progressed the concept of college-rock and turned it into something attractive on a worldly scale. Their beautiful and gorgeous melodies sat nicely next to Ezra's staple vocal on each track. At the same time, each song allowed room for different styles. From indie-rock all the way to baroque pop, this album contained many hits in an array of colors and flavors.
Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut not only shocked the music world, but it allowed listeners to get a glimpse into the mind and sound of one of the best alternative bands of the 21st century.
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