Sometimes, I think really great bands need a critical mass of three good albums if they're not just gonna be forgotten -- like pablo honey, the bends, ok computer... If not a mass of good albums, you certainly need a mass of good songs.
I enjoyed Vampire Weekend's first two albums, with particular songs standing out like M79, Kids Don't Stand a Chance, Oxford Comma, White Sky, I Think Ur A Contra, etc. but its only now I've listened to the new one (and then the others again) that I've realised they're actually kinda genius.
Some of the bass and guitar reminds me of Paul Simon on Graceland, which is fitting as they describe themselves as having an upper west Soweto sound - which kind of describes that album. Graceland is probably one of my favourite albums of all time, so its nice to see other people aspiring for that kind of vibe -- even if they're white, middle class and as far from Soweto as can be. I remember when I first heard Vampire Weekend. It's easy to be really jaded when you listen to lyrical content. I can listen to some pop songs and just think "what utter reprehensible shit". I can listen to some supposedly 'authentic' music and think even worse. When I listened to VW for the first time, I actually thought to myself that they were trying a bit too hard to sound academic. I thought they sounded kind of pedantic.
But I can't ignore talent - they're good. The critical mass has accumulated. Melodically, lyrically, they are leaving a footprint on my memory so I can't stop repeating tunes in my head. There are now songs and moments I can't forget. I really fancy watching them next month in Birmingham or Manchester (UK) now... there's tickets still available on StubHub etc.
Favourite songs off the new album are probably Step and Everlasting Arms. Do we have any fans / detractors here?
I love the line "I hummed the dies irae, you played the hallelujah" from Everlasting Arms. I'm not normally one for lyrical content, but Ezra Koenig is writing some lovely lines. Taken alongside the other songs, this whole album is full of lyrics that reflect America - and maybe the whole worlds' - ruminations on politics, war and religion. Things that "I'll never understand". Some moving personal sentiments in some songs too.
I think I'm in love.
