Album Review: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend hit the scene in early 2008 with their self-titled debut release. Spin magazine has already declared them "Band of the Year 2008." They are all former Columbia University students (smart kids?). So why is that most people I ask have not heard of these guys? Well it appears the hipsters are keeping this one to themselves . . . .


Fucking Hipsters. [shakes head disapprovingly]

Anyway, I am already touting these guys "The Decemberists of 2008." The reason I say this is not because Vampire Weekend sounds anything like The Decemberists, but because when The Decemberists released 'The Crane Wife," it seemed like they graced the cover of every music magazine and did every late night talk show. Well, we are only about ten weeks into 2008, only six weeks since Vampire Weekend released their album, and they have already played SNL and Later with Jools Holand (a major BBC music showcase). The major difference is that the Decemberists had several albums under their belt when they became 'all the rage.'

So what are these guys all about? Well picture the Kinks in 2008. Or maybe the Talking Heads on xanax. Two very different things I have just described, but Vampire Weekend has them both covered (and perhaps everything in between).

The band has developed a sound that focuses on some very intricate and heavy drum and bass interplay; the drums focusing on a very tom-heavy sound, with a manic walking bass line. The guitar is an energetic ska with brains (smart kids), and the vocals are cleverly used with lyrics and harmonies that bring all of the energy to a boil. It is also evident that these fellas are influenced by music that comes from outside the borders of the US and UK (yeah . . . smart kids). A few highlights of the album include "A-Punk" which sounds like the Clash with hipster appeal, the african-influenced and infectiously-catchy "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa." On "Blake's (Got a New Face)" the percussion and keyboard take the lead with some amazing call-and-response. And then there is the reggae-tinged "Kids Don't Stand a Chance" which ends in an array of classical piano and strings.

Overall, I find myself extremely impressed with the depth of the album. On first pass I saw it as a few catchy tunes, on second listen it was a strong album, and by the third time I found this album to be a top-10 of 2008. You heard it hear first folks.

Assuming of course none of you read SPIN magazine.

Buy Vampire Weekend at iTunes