Review: Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend
[XL Recordings]
This NYC band describes itself as practitioners of “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Upper West Side Soweto and Oxford Comma Riddim.”
I don’t know the meaning of much of what I just typed, but I am quite sure I like the mix of Afro pop, ska and Caribbean grooves on this debut album.
The 11 tunes on the record are of the instantly memorable variety and the band is full of surprises.
Things get started with “Mansard Roof” with its odd and pleasing organ and drums, conjuring images of carnies and cotton candy. The tuneful melody and snappy snare set a colorful tone for the album.
The retro organ continues on “Oxford Comma,” a charming track about punctuation, among other things. Ezra Koenig’s voice resembles Caleb Followill’s of Kings of Leon and he uses it in much the same way.
The band kicks it into high gear with “A-Punk,” with frantic Talking Heads electric guitar and mesmerizing keys over a pogo-inducing beat and bassline. Think “Little Bitch” by the Specials. (Remember the high school gym dance scene in Sixteen Candles?)
On “M79,” Vampire Weekend shows it can turn in a quality chamber pop song with classical strings and a melancholy 1970s vibe. “Campus” is a lo-fi Arctic Monkeys style romp.
This band keeps it simple and stylish and reminds us what music is all about: having fun.
www.myspace.com/vampireweekend
Video for “A-Punk”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XC2mqcMMGQ
Video for “Mansard Roof”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlgNFwoApec
Matt has been a writer and researcher in the P-D newsroom since 1996. 
[...] can turn in a quality chamber pop song with classical strings and a melancholy 1970s vibe Campus is read more ->Miami Herald says:Finally if there s a non fan in your house you can hand them a glass of light [...]
[...] can turn in a quality chamber pop song with classical strings and a melancholy 1970s vibe Campus is read more ->Miami Herald says:Finally if there s a non fan in your house you can hand them a glass of light [...]