Vampire Weekend "Contra" (OUT NOW!)

[Minimalism]

I love how their album covers are always so random, especially since this one channels the overall tone of their debut. I'm glad they decided to change the title, too.

But only 10 songs? That's unacceptable! >:(

[Coin-Operated [Boy]]

Sept 17, 2009 21:19:13 GMT -5 Minimalism said:

I love how their album covers are always so random, especially since this one channels the overall tone of their debut. I'm glad they decided to change the title, too.

But only 10 songs? That's unacceptable! >:(

Brevity works extremely well on their favor, and it leaves us yearning for more so I think it would be effectual for them to utilize these assets of their first release. But yeah, more tracks would be just savory.

[busyboy]

In December, drinking horchata
I’d look psychotic in a balaclava
Winter’s cold is 2 much 2 handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals

In December, drinking horchata
Look down your glasses at that Aranciata
With lips and teeth to ask how my day went
Boots and fists to pound on the pavement

Here comes a feeling you thought you’d forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on

You’d remember drinking horchata
You’d still enjoy it with your foot on Masada

Winter’s cold is 2 much 2 handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals

Here comes a feeling you thought you’d forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on
Oh you had it but oh no you lost it
Looking back you shouldn’t have fought it

In December, drinking horchata
I’d look psychotic in a balaclava

But winter’s cold is 2 much 2 handle
Pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals
Years go by and hearts start to harden
Those palms and firs that grew in your garden
Are falling down and nearing the rosebeds
The roots are shooting up through the tool shed
Those lips and teeth that asked how my day went
Are shouting up through cracks in the pavement

Here comes a feeling you thought you’d forgotten
Chairs to sit and sidewalks to walk on
Oh you had it but oh no you lost it
You understood so you shouldn’t have fought it

www.vampireweekend.com/

[Minimalism]

I'm a little underwhelmed by "Horchata". It's not bad, but I feel like throughout the whole track they just wander aimlessly, hinting at a climax that never comes to fruition. The most hook-worthy part of the song is probably the "oh-oh" part, but they only repeat it once, and then leave it at the 1:00 mark, no less.

But I do like the melodies, and Ezra's vocal inflections (e.g. "hor-cha-a-a-ta"), I just wish it was structured better.

[busyboy]

The actual first single is "Cousins". It goes to Alternative and Triple A radio in the US on 11/24, and gets a physical UK release on 12/14.

[busyboy]

"Cousins" is on iTunes now. It's better than "Orchata", but still not good enough to be compared to the songs on the debut album.

[Active Aggressive]

They need to drop their preppy, WASPy thing, at least in their lyrics because that aspect, combined with their musical stylings, can start to reek of exotification after awhile...

[Minimalism]

Yeah, "Cousins" is better than "Horchata", but still... something's missing. I think it's the delicious melodies? I'm starting to get a little nervous about this project. However, that single cover is ace.

[Deleted]

Exactly. While "Cousins" is way better than "Horchata", it's still not as good as anything on their debut. The single cover and video are great, though.

[busyboy]

The album leaked in shitty, 96 kbps quality.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2009 18:30:27 GMT -5 @busyboy said:

The album leaked.

I was hoping you'd say that. Before I'd heard any of the songs, I would've downloaded a shitty quality link for sure. However, I'm not so excited for this project that I can't wait for some decent files. It can't be much longer, right?

[busyboy]

I'm not even sure what I downloaded (Contra Coupé or some shit, with the running times all fucked up), so I'll have to wait for the official leak too.

[busyboy]

Haven't checked the link out yet, but this time the leak should be 'official'.

[Minimalism]

Hm, I think I'm going to wait for the online reaction before rushing to download it.

[busyboy]

What a subdued affair. It will take a lot to grow on me, completely the opposite of the all-out melodic assult of their debut.

[Deleted]

I was all ready for this to be terrible based on "Cousins" and "Horchata", but it's actually pretty good. I still don't love those two, "I Think Ur A Contra" is boring and "California English" is ridiculous, but the rest are all decent, if growers.

[Gold Soundz]

Man, I can't get enough of "Giving Up The Gun." Probably my favorite Vampire Weekend song now. I like it even better than Ezra's L'Homme Run version.

[Active Aggressive]

Um...I am calling album of the year and I have only listened to the clips. WOW.

[busyboy]

OK, "Taxi Cab" is growing on me. Maybe not all hope is lost.

[Stephen]

Not nearly as good as I expected. A-Punk is better than this entire album put together.

[Dalliance]

Sadly underwhelming. A glimpse at the album cover told us they were aiming to create a sophisticated, ethereal sound---the definitive album for winter. But these songs fall flat. Where did their lyrical charms go? The hooks have disappeared. :smh:

However, I will be exhausting "Horchata" for all its charms till December. Love that one...

[Gold Soundz]

This is definitely a grower. Originally, I didn't like the album as a whole at all, and now I love it. It's just a lot more subtle than their debut. The only track I'm not crazy about is "California English." My favorites are probably "Giving Up The Gun," "Run," "Taxi Cab," "Diplomat's Son," and "Holiday."

[Active Aggressive]

How could anyone not recognize the FACT that White Sky ALONE PWNS all else from the first album. O. M. G. I will have to return to stanning for them again.

[Gold Soundz]

Jan 10, 2010 16:00:18 GMT -5 Active Aggressive said:

How could anyone not recognize the FACT that White Sky ALONE PWNS all else from the first album. O. M. G. I will have to return to stanning for them again.

It was one of my favorites at first because it's really in-your-face, but I feel like the more subtle tracks are the true gems. I don't know...my favorites on the debut were "Oxford Comma," "Campus," and "I Stand Corrected."

[Dalliance]

Jan 10, 2010 16:00:18 GMT -5 Active Aggressive said:

How could anyone not recognize the FACT that White Sky ALONE PWNS all else from the first album. O. M. G. I will have to return to stanning for them again.

Yeah that song is pretty good too.

[Minimalism]

Okay, verdict after first listen: underwhelming.

There's nothing particularly bad about the album (okay, maybe except for the meandering "Diplomat's Son"), and Rostam still has a bag of tricks up his sleeve for sure, but to me this time around the songs are just not particularly interesting. The impression I got was, had the production not incorporated so much ornamentation, all the songs would probably end up sounding the same. But this is just from first listen. Maybe this album is bound to be a grower? Or at least I hope so.

[derek]

I love this

[Gold Soundz]

Jan 11, 2010 8:28:12 GMT -5 Minimalism said:

Okay, verdict after first listen: underwhelming.

There's nothing particularly bad about the album (okay, maybe except for the meandering "Diplomat's Son"), and Rostam still has a bag of tricks up his sleeve for sure, but to me this time around the songs are just not particularly interesting. The impression I got was, had the production not incorporated so much ornamentation, all the songs would probably end up sounding the same. But this is just from first listen. Maybe this album is bound to be a grower? Or at least I hope so.

It's most definitely a grower. It took me 3 listens to like it and 5 to love it.

This is getting the same if not better reviews than their record.

[busyboy]

Yeah, it's a really good album. I'll just keep listening to it.

[Minimalism]

I listened to it once again, and still, I couldn't really find anything wrong with it, but it's just a little... elusive? Especially if compared to the instant addiction that their debut elicited. Anyway, my favorites so far are the mainstream-consumption ready "Giving Up The Gun" and the super mellow "I Think Ur A Contra". My least favorite by far is still "Diplomat's Son", which has two times in a row now made me contemplating skipping it even when it wasn't half over.