Results for Fleet Foxes
interviews
Blitzen Trapper
A few weeks ago Greg recommend our Rock Doctors patients check out Furr by Blitzen Trapper. Now we have the band live in our studio for a conversation and acoustic performance. The Portland indie rock band, led by Eric Earley, has been gaining momentum after touring with Sub Pop label mate Fleet Foxes. Blitzen Trapper's music is often compared to classic American rock of the late '60s and early '70s. But as Earley explains, every musician is influenced by the past. And despite a familiar sound, there's still a sense of mystery and originality. You can hear it in the songs the band performs live in our studio.
Go to episode 175reviews
Fleet Foxes available on iTunesFleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
The latest band to break out on the Sub Pop label is Fleet Foxes. While they haven't reached Nirvana or Shins status, Jim and Greg agree that this is a band to watch. Fleet Foxes belongs to the "freak folk" music club, but Jim much prefers their deeper, more convincing sound. He loves their beautiful harmonies and melodies and is impressed by their deep influences, especially considering how young their members are. Greg agrees, adding that the sound is entirely their own, full of untraditional arrangements and dense atmosphere. Both critics give Fleet Foxes, their self-titled debut, a Buy It.
I Love You, Honeybear available on iTunesFather John Misty I Love You, Honeybear
Like Phil Collins and Dave Grohl before him, Josh Tillman started a drummer for the indie band Fleet Foxes. In 2011 he went on a mystical, west-coast odyssey (drugs were involved) and returned with a new solo artist persona named Father John Misty. In his latest album I Love You, Honeybear, Misty chronicles falling in love with his wife with some unconventional love songs. Greg argues that it's not easy to write love songs that don't sound sticky, and commends Misty on the humor in his lyrics. But, he wishes the record was more musically flamboyant and gives it a Try It. To say Jim disliked this album is putting it mildly. He compares the listening experience to having an allergic reaction to bee stings. He doesn‘t hear the humor in Misty’s lyrics, but rather something more misogynistic. So he says Trash It.
Helplessness Blues available on iTunesFleet Foxes Helplessness Blues
The Fleet Foxes said they wanted this second album to be their version of Astral Weeks. It's hard to say if they did it, but easy for Jim and Greg to give Helplessness Blues a double Buy It rating. The Seattle sextet's 2008 debut was more immediate in terms of melody. This one takes longer to settle into, but the lyrics are more direct, personal and full of anxiety. The layering of sounds, instruments and harmonies sound effortless. Our critics say go out and get it.
Crack-Up available on iTunesFleet Foxes Crack-Up
Fleet Foxes helped create a Pacific Northwest-based folk-rock movement in the early aughts that featured acts like Blitzen Trapper and Bon Iver. Greg says that on their first record,“Fleet Foxes did it brilliantly, more brilliantly than any of them.”He goes on to say that their latest record, Crack-Up, doesn't fare as well. Greg says "some emotional intensity that [he] so loved about the band has gotten lost amid those serpentine arrangements that they are putting together". He says give it a Try It. Crack-Up was released after a six-year hiatus for the band, during which lead singer/guitarist Robin Pecknold attended school at Columbia University. Jim says though he generally likes Fleet Foxes, on this album there is a lot of "mid-tempo snooziness". He adds that he doesn't know why Pecknold decided to come back from his hiatus, because Pecknold "has nothing new to say". Jim gives the record a Trash It.
Veckatimest available on iTunesGrizzly Bear Veckatimest
The final album up for review is the third release from Brooklyn quartet Grizzly Bear. Veckatimest, named for an island off the coast of Massachusetts, is already getting hailed by many as one of the top albums of the year. Jim hears a lot of similarities to what bands like Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper are doing, but with the addition of synths, Jeff Buckley-style vocals, and lo-fi production. In other words, it drives him crazy. A few moments of beauty, but he gives it a Try It. Greg loves how the band creates its own space in the album. He can picture the room they made it in. The record is not accessible, but when you are in the right mood to be shut in, Veckatimist will hit you. Greg gives it a Buy It rating.
lists
Best Albums of 2008
Jim and Greg listened to hundreds of albums this year. Which ones soared to the top? Check out their lists for the Best Albums of 2008 below. You can also see what albums made the cut in years past in our Lists section.
Go to episode 159The Best of 2008… So Far
Hard to believe it's almost the midpoint of 2008, but lucky for Sound Opinions listeners, that means it's time for a list! Here are Jim and Greg's lists for 2008's mid-year best.
Go to episode 135Best Albums of 2011
Go to episode 315featured songs
Featured Songs
- Parts and Labor, Nowheres Nigh, Receivers, Jagjaguwar, 2008
- Local H, Hand to Mouth, 12 Angry Months, Shout! Factory, 2008
- Q Tip, Life is Better, The Renaissance, Universal Motown Republic Group, 2008
- Brazilian Girls, Losing Myself, New York City, Verve Forecast, 2008
- Portishead, Silence, Third, Mercury, 2008
- TV on the Radio, Crying, Dear Science, 4AD, 2008
- Fleet Foxes, Ragged Wood, Fleet Foxes, Bella Union / Sub Pop, 2008
- Mates of State, The Re-Arranger, Re-Arrange Us, Barsuk, 2008
- The Knux, Cappuccino, Remind Me in 3 Days, Interscope, 2008
- The Vivian Girls, Where Do You Run To, Vivian Girls, In the Red, 2008
- Erykah Badu, The Healer, New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War, Motown, 2008
- The Gutter Twins, God's Children, Saturnalia, Sub Pop, 2008
- Byrne and Eno, Everything that Happens, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, Todo Mundo, 2008
- Torche, Across the Shields, Meanderthal, Hydra Head, 2008
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, We Call Upon the Author, Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!, Mute, 2008
- Grateful Dead, Operator, American Beauty, Warner Bros., 1970
- Amy Ray, SLC Radio, Didn't It Feel Kinder, Daemon, 2008
- R.E.M., Bang and Blame, Monster, Warner Bros., 1994
- Jane's Addiction, Jane Says, Jane's Addiction, Triple X, 1987
Featured Songs
- Wilson Pickett, Land of 1000 Dances, The Exciting Wilson Pickett, Atlantic, 1966
- The Kinks, A Gallon of Gas, Low Budget, Arista, 1979
- Bowerbirds, In Our Talons, Hymns for a Dark Horse, Burly Time, 2007
- Soundgarden, Hunted Down, Screaming Life/Fopp, Sub Pop, 1990
- Green River, This Town, Rehab Doll/Dry As a Bone, Sub Pop, 1987
- Mudhoney, Touch Me I'm Sick, Touch Me I'm Sick, Sub Pop, 1988
- Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nevermind, Sub Pop, 1991
- Mudhoney, Mudride, Superfuzz Bigmuff, Sub Pop, 1988
- The Shins, Kissing the Lipless, Chutes Too Narrow, Sub Pop, 2003
- Sebadoh, Brand New Love, The Freed Weed, Homestead, 1990
- Tad, Jack Pepsi, 8-Way Santa, Sub Pop, 1991
- Afghan Whigs, Retarded, Up In It, Sub Pop, 1990
- L7, Shove, Smell the Magic, Sub Pop, 1991
- The Postal Service, Such Great Heights, Give Up, Sub Pop, 2003
- Nirvana, About a Girl, Bleach, Sub Pop, 1989
- Wolf Parade, The Grey Estates, At Mount Zoomer, Sub Pop, 2008
- The Afghan Whigs, Miles Iz Ded, Turn on the Water, Sub Pop, 1992
- Eric Matthews, Fanfare, It's Heavy in Here, Sub Pop, 1995
- Beck, Youthless, Modern Guilt, DGC, 2008
- Beck, Walls, Modern Guilt, DGC, 2008
- Beck, Replica, Modern Guilt, DGC, 2008
- Fleet Foxes, White Winter Hymnal, Fleet Foxes, Sub Pop, 2008
- Fleet Foxes, Your Protector, Fleet Foxes, Sub Pop, 2008
- Fleet Foxes, Meadowlarks, Fleet Foxes, Sub Pop, 2008
- Air France, Collapsing at Your Doorstep, No Way Down, Sincerely Yours, 2008
- The Nerves, Hanging on the Telephone, The Nerves, Nerves, 1976
- The Clash, I'm So Bored With The USA, The Clash, n/a, 1977
- The Talking Heads, Don't Worry About the Government, Talking Heads: 77, CBS, 1977
- The Blasters, American Music, American Music, SHOUT!, 1980
Featured Songs
- The Temptations, Cloud Nine, Cloud Nine, Motown, 1969
- R.E.M., Pop Song 89, Green, Warner Bros., 1988
- My Morning Jacket, The Librarian, Evil Urges, ATO, 2008
- Enrico Caruso, Di Tu Se Fedele, Di Tu Se Fedele, Library of Congress, 1911
- Bikini Kill, Double Dare Ya, The C.D. Version of the First Two Records, Kill Rock Stars, 1994
- Dead Milkmen, Punk Rock Girl, Beelzebubba, Enigma, 1988
- Bratmobile, Cool Schmool, Pottymouth, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Bikini Kill, Rebel Girl, The C.D. Version of the First Two Records, Kill Rock Stars, 1994
- Bikini Kill, New Radio, Single, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Bratmobile, P.R.D.C.T, Pottymouth, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Heavens to Betsy, Monsters, These Monsters Are Real, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Huggy Bear, No Sleep, Taking the Rough With the Smooch, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Huggy Bear, Dissthentic Penetration, Taking the Rough With the Smooch, Kill Rock Stars, 1993
- Sleater-Kinney, I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, Call the Doctor, Chainsaw Records, 1996
- Le Tigre, Hot Topic, Le Tigre, Mr. Lady, 1999
- The Cars, Blue Tip, Move Like This, Hear Music, 2011
- The Cars, Sad Song, Move Like This, Hear Music, 2011
- The Cars, Soon, Move Like This, Hear Music, 2011
- Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues, Helplessness Blues, Sub Pop, 2011
- Fleet Foxes, Lorelai, Helplessness Blues, Sub Pop, 2011
- Fleet Foxes, Someone You'd Admire, Helplessness Blues, Sub Pop, 2011
- EPROM, The Symbiote, Pipe Dream EP, Rwina Records, 2011
- Tommy Tutone, 8675309, Tommy Tuntone 2, Columbia, 1982
- The Beastie Boys, Too Many Rappers, Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2, Parlophone, 2011
- Titus Andronicus, A More Perfect Union, The Monitor, XL, 2010
- Bob Dylan, Like a Rolling Stone, The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: The“Royal Albert Hall”Concert, Columbia, 1998
Featured Songs
- The Bewitched Hands, Hard to Cry, Birds & Drums, Jive, 2011
- Fucked Up, Queen of Hearts, David Comes to Life, Matador, 2011
- Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi, The Gambling Priest, Rome, Capitol, 2011
- Van Hunt, A Time Machine is My New Girlfriend, What Were You Hoping For, Godless Hotspot, 2011
- Raphael Saadiq, Stone Rollin', (0:40) Stone Rollin', Columbia, 2011
- Fleet Foxes, Lorelai, Helplessness Blues, Sub Pop, 2011
- Mutemath, Prytania, Odd Soul, Teleprompt, 2011
- SBTRKT, Something Goes Right, SBTRKT, Young Turks, 2011
- The Feelies, When You Know, Here Before, Bar/None, 2011
- tUnE-yArDs, Gangsta, w h o k i l l, 4AD, 2011
- Das Racist, Relax, Relax, Greedhead, 2011
- The Decemberists, Don't Carry It All, The King is Dead, Capitol, 2011
- The Roots, The Other Side, Undun, Def Jam, 2011
- Le Butcherettes, Tonight, Sin, Sin, Sin, Rodriguez Lopez Productions, 2011
- Wild Flag, Romance, Wild Flag, Merge, 2011
- Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz, The Telephone Song, Stan Getz meets Jo~ao & Astrud Gilberto: New York 1964, Giants of Jazz, 1990
- Trombone Shorty, Dumaine St., For True, Verve, 2011
- Lou Reed and Metallica, Pumping Blood, Lulu, Warner Bros., 2011
- The Velvet Underground, The Black Angel's Death Song, The Velvet Underground & Nico, Verve, 1967
- Super Furry Animals, Night Vision, Guerrilla, Creation, 1999
Featured Songs
- Sex Pistols, Pretty Vacant, Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Warner Bros., 1977
- Sex Pistols, God Save the Queen, Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Warner Bros., 1977
- Sex Pistols, No Feelings, Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Warner Bros., 1977
- Buzzcocks, Orgasm Addict, Singles Going Steady, EMI, 1979
- Buzzcocks, Breakdown, Spiral Scratch, New Hormones ORG1, 1977
- Buzzcocks, Friends of Mine, Spiral Scratch, New Hormones ORG1, 1977
- The Clash, Cheat, The Clash, CBS, 1977
- Television, See No Evil, Marquee Moon, Elektra, 1977
- X-Ray Spex, Plastic Bag, Germ Free Adolescents, EMI, 1978
- The Adverts, One Chord Wonders, Crossing the Red Sea with The Adverts, Bright, 1978
- Wire, Ex Lion Tamer, Pink Flag, Harvest, 1977
- The Clash, London's Burning, The Clash, CBS, 1977
- Fleet Foxes, Fool's Errand, Crack-Up, Nonesuch, 2017
- Fleet Foxes, If You Need To, Keep Time On Me, Crack-Up, Nonesuch, 2017
- The Beatles, I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Want to Hold Your Hand (single), Parlophone, 1963
- The Beatles, I'm a Loser, I'm a Loser (single), Parlophone, 1964
- Booker T. & the MGs, Something, McLemore Avenue, Stax, 1970
- Electric Light Orchestra, Telephone Line, A New World Record, Jet, 1976
- The Regrettes, Hey Now, Feel Your Feelings Fool!, Warner Bros., 2017
- Tall Dwarfs, Sign The Dotted Line, Weeville, Flying Nun, 1990
- No Tag, No Tag, Oi Oi Oi, Propeller, 1982
- Gin Wigmore, Hallow Fate, Hallow Fate, Universal, 2017