Borrowing from ageless folk and classic rock (and nicking some of the best bits from prog and soft rock along the way), on their self-titled debut album Fleet Foxes don't just master the art of taking familiar influences and making them sound fresh again, they give a striking sense of who they are and what their world is like. Their song titles reference the Blue Ridge Mountains -- never mind that they're actually from Seattle -- but it's the ease and skill with which they mix and match British and American folk and rock from the far and not too distant past that makes the band's music so refreshing. While this mix could be contrived or indulgent, Fleet Foxes use restraint, structuring their flourishes into three- and four-minute pop songs full of chiming melodies and harmonies that sound like they've been summoned from centuries of traditional songs and are full of vivid, universal imagery: mountains, birds, family, death. Despite drawing from so many sources, there's a striking purity to Fleet Foxes' sound. Robin Pecknold's voice is warm and sweet, with just enough grit to make phrases like "premonition of my death" sound genuine, and the band's harmonies sound natural, and stunning, whether they're on their own or supported by acoustic guitars or the full, plugged-in band. "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" and "Meadowlarks" show just how much the Foxes do with the simplest elements of their music, but Fleet Foxes' best songs marry that purity with twists that open their sound much wider. As good as the Sun Giant EP was, Fleet Foxes saved many of their best songs for this album. "White Winter Hymnal" is remarkably beautiful, building from a vocal round into glorious jangle pop with big, booming drums that lend a sense of adventure as the spine-tingling melody lightens some of the lyrics' darkness ("Michael you would fall and turn the white snow red as strawberries in summertime"). The suite-like "Ragged Wood" moves from a galloping beat to sparkling acoustic picking, then takes a trippy detour before returning to a more thoughtful version of its main theme. "Quiet Houses" and "He Doesn't Know Why"'s driving pianos show off the band's flair for drama. Dazzling songs like these are surrounded by a few songs that find the band leaning a little more heavily on its influences. "Your Protector" nods to Zeppelin's misty, mournful side, and "Blue Ridge Mountains" is the kind of earthy yet sophisticated song CSNY would have been proud to call their own. But, even when the songs aren't as brilliant as Fleet Foxes' highlights, the band still sounds alluring, as on the lush interlude "Heard Them Stirring." Throughout the album, the band sounds wise beyond its years, so it's not really that surprising that Fleet Foxes is such a satisfying, self-assured debut.
Thanks to Alex for taking these pictures with my broken camera Second night in a row of Fleet Foxes bliss. I know, I really am spoiled. Same amazing sounds, different banter. That's really the charm of these guys; they love to respond to the audience. I like how someone just randomly yelled out, "Ren and Stimpy!" To that, Casey Westcott joked that there was no open invitation for...
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[Photos by Merry Swankster]July 22, 2008 : Hi-Dive Denver, COFleet Foxes rolled through the Mile-High and the buzz was palpable. A pre-show sell out at the 200 capacity Hi-Dive left many without a way in. After sitting thru a so-so opening set from The Dutchess and the Duke, the Seattle five-piece took to the stage. With only one proper LP and one EP to their credit, the question of would th...
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The rain was pouring as I arrived for the second day of the Pitchfork Music Festival and, for a moment, I thought that the weekend was going to be as miserable as the forecast had predicted. Traffic had already kept me from seeing the first few bands, including Titus Andronicus , who I was rather looking forward to seeing. Luckily, however, Caribou chased away the clouds, saving the day just...
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I discuss the Seattle five-piece's self-titled debut album with MOG outsider, The Girlfriend (a.k.a Jill).During Ragged Wood...The GF: I thought this was supposed to be folk music?Me: It is.The GF: No, it isn't. It's a much bigger sound.Me: What were you expecting, a one-man band?The GF: It's not exactly humble, using all the instrumentation.Me: Would it help if they doffed their caps every now an
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Entering the UK album chart at number 11 this week, new comers Fleet Foxes are giving a "whatsup wave" to the industry biggies just ahead of them such as Coldplay, Duffy, Neil Diamond, Paul Weller and The Fratelis. This is all the more impressive when you notice that L.A. rockers Weezer charted at only number 21 this week with their new album. Either Fleet Foxes are being majorly hyped (not r...
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PopSense is exactly as it claims: a higher awareness of cultural truth. And the truth is good. Editor Jeff also has some ideas on what he thinks rocked the pop world this year. Have at it buddy! 1. Best Album of 2008 Fleet Foxes: It was the dose of baroque harmonic goodness that I unknowingly needed at my core. 2. Favorite Single of 2008 Sam Sparro - Black and Gold : try not to groo...
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--- - |- I've been blessed this year in that I've had an almost continual stream of new music to capitvate my ears. At some point, though, I got so backed up in listening to new albums that some simply fell through the cracks. At the time I'm writing this I still have over thirty five albums in digital format that have never even been unzipped {yeah, I'm a little backed up}. One band that...
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I discuss the Seattle five-piece's self-titled debut album with MOG outsider, The Girlfriend (a.k.a Jill).During Ragged Wood...The GF: I thought this was supposed to be folk music?Me: It is.The GF: No, it isn't. It's a much bigger sound.Me: What were you expecting, a one-man band?The GF: It's not exactly humble, using all the instrumentation.Me: Would it help if they doffed their caps every now an
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At last, we're done with this insane year. Yes, we saw history made on Election Day - and there's great promise that will attend the impending inauguration of the President-Elect. As for the rest of 2008, I can only quote Joey Ramone. Glad to see you go-go-go-go! Goodbye!I really should add a qualification. I will continue to enjoy a number of the better recordings, feature films, TV programs, and
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I've gotta give my pick to:Fleet Foxes "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" from their S/T 2008 release.---------------------------------------------------------------------Post your 5 star song as a new post and reply here with a link to your posts...or just post it here...whatever floats your boats.---------------------------------------------------------------------
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I like this group. Their self-titled debut album came out last month. Here's a song off it.
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Sometimes I dig in my heels, usually for no good reason. Last December my good friend Jaye went to a show I wanted to go to, except my sister was visiting. David Bazan was playing at The Crocodile Café in Seattle and another local band, Fleet Foxes, was opening for him. I skipped it to fight with my sister and it so happens that was the last night the Croc was open. The next day my favo..
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"He Doesn't Know," as you'll see from one of the photos below, was the 8th song of the night. The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Stanley Kubrick, Ethan Hawke, Jane Fonda, Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, Arthur Miller, Thomas Wolfe and that's just the beginning. New York City is unique in that it can shine as the superhero of uniqueness as muc...
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Entering the UK album chart at number 11 this week, new comers Fleet Foxes are giving a "whatsup wave" to the industry biggies just ahead of them such as Coldplay, Duffy, Neil Diamond, Paul Weller and The Fratelis. This is all the more impressive when you notice that L.A. rockers Weezer charted at only number 21 this week with their new album. Either Fleet Foxes are being majorly hyped (not r...
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Who Are Fleet Foxes?I'll let them give their own introduction:"We're a group of five from Seattle that sing for the fun of it and are into all kinds of music. We'd call this stuff baroque harmonic pop jams. Our names are Skye, Robin, Joshua, Casey, and Christian. We'll make some mistakes along the way but we hope you enjoy our little family business."Family business it might be, but small? Not...
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Former Chalky's Choice, Fleet Foxes have released a new video to accompany their song White Winter Hymnal.Here it is:White Winter Hymnal - Ignore the message about the video no longer being available, if you press play it'll work anyhow!This video is like parts of the album, quite dark but covered in the sweetest of rhythms and melodies.Apparently tickets for their midnight show at Union Hall, ...
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I was only relatively familiar with Seattle-based band Fleet Foxes (as in, a boy made me a mix that had one of their songs on it) before I saw them live in concert last night, but it was not long before they had their foxy little claws embedded deep inside my heart. For a band that is rather popular amongst plaid-flannel-wearing indie crowds, and for being so extraordinarily talented, they poss...
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http://stereogum.com/archives/the-gummy-awards/2008-gummy-awards-polls-are-open_036541.html#moreGo! Vote! Now!Oh and someone put in a vote for Jonathan Meiburg for Mr. Indie Rock. I mean, how can you not love this:(He's the one with the voice.)
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Fleet Foxes are back with a new video to one of my favorite tracks off their album, "He Doesn't Know Why". The video was directed by Sean Pecknold and features the band doing a little bedroom performance while tending to their herd…and of course there are many beards involved. mp3: Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know [...]
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Sun It Rises |
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| 2 White Winter Hymnal |
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| 3 Ragged Wood |
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| 4 Tiger Mountain Peasant Song |
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| 5 Quiet Houses |
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| 6 He Doesn't Know Why |
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| 7 Heard Them Stirring |
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| 8 Your Protector |
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| 9 Meadowlarks |
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| 10 Blue Ridge Mountains |
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| 11 Oliver James |
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 "Fleet Foxes")
