Review : Fleet Foxes

Yikes I really got behind on this again! I promise to make an effort to update more often :p
For starters, here's a review of Fleet Foxes self titled debut album!

What
Folky pop-band from Seattle. Imagine the best of the early 70s folky pop-rock movement, with contemporary production. Excellent stuff. Self-titled debut album released on Sub Pop, released June 2008. The album features 11 songs, totalling 40 minutes of music.

The sound on this album is a direct continuation of the preview ep, 'Sun Giant' (also on Sub Pop). When I first heard that ep, I was very pleasantly surprised and had to make sure it was a contemporary release, and not from the mid 70s. Listening to their debut album, I find it remarkable how well Fleet Foxes capture and mix various things that made the 70s the best decade for this kind of music. There are the awesome vocal harmonies ( most prominent on tracks like 'Meadowlark', 'Blue Ridge Mountains' and 'He doesn't know why' ), there's the gently strummed acoustic guitars as well as well timed electric solos, and the strong melodies throughout. Upon listening to the album for the second time, I took a piece of paper and wrote down what bands I was reminded of. Fleetwood Mac ca. 1975... Crosby, Stills and Nash ca. 1969-1970.. The Beach Boys.. and some contemporary neo-folkies who also strive for an older sound, like Marissa Nadler and Devendra Banhart. Songs like 'Ragged Wood' make me really happy to hear, because I'm partial to multi-layered vocal harmonies and acoustic-guitar driven melodies. If not for the slightly different vocals, it could almost have been a Beach Boys song.

Some of the songs are quiet, and some ( like the super 'Quiet houses' ) are a bit more up-beat, but the album never drags or gets repetitive. There is some strong song-writing on exhibit here, and it is to Fleet Foxes' credit that they have released an album of entirely new material which both sounds fresh and reminds of a particular period in popular music. According to the info in the booklet, all the songs were written by Robin Pecknold. If that is the case, he has a strong ear for melody and I can hardly wait to hear how Fleet Foxes are going to follow up this great album.

My Take
Fans of this kind of music will not be disappointed by this, as it's likely to remind people who like 70s pop of their favourites.
I give this album a very solid ********* out of 10, and I can recommend getting both this and the 'Sun Giant' ep (which has 5 exclusive songs).

Best and worst
The best songs are 'Ragged Wood' and 'Quiet houses', but the whole album is pretty darn good, and as such there is no worst on this album. If I were to make one complaint, it is that the album could have used a song or two more. But that's a very minor complaint. Thoroughly enjoyable!