First Album
We're big fans of the Fleet Foxes and were completely hung up on their first album, Fleet Foxes. Their title album featured songs that were satiated with harmonious pleasantries and seemed to tie together with a sort of ethereal beauty. The tracks flowed perfectly into each other.
The cover art of Fleet Foxes features a piece by Flemish Renaissance painter, Pieter Bruegel the Elder. As his art was renown for putting focus on nature and capturing a story through landscape, the Fleet Foxes produced an album that captures that very spirit. It is a combination of simple elliptical lyrics, beautiful and enchanting melodic harmonies and serene instrumentation. That echo effect used on Robin Pecknold's already commanding voice truly enlarges his presence and transports the listener to simpler times. Perhaps a field of thick trees on some remote mountain. The album is very magical in that sense.
Initial Reaction
Helplessness Blues
The newest album takes a big departure from its predecessor. Overall, I observed that the lyrics in Helplessness Blues are much more literal. While the harmonies that made the first album so beautiful aren't completely absent, they appear less and are sparse throughout. Robin's vocals have become much more prevalent, becoming a focal point in the album and we do hear much less from the rest of the members. Robin's voice in particular is presented with less of the echo effect used to create their earlier work.
This time around, instrument solos have become more commonplace. Their presence is frequent and add on to the songs. It's a nice change. Moreover, some differing instruments that weren't heard in the first album share in on center stage at times. Bedouin Dress is an example of this, also featuring an ambiance deeply rooted in English folk music. Their seventh track, The Cascades is devoid of vocals altogether and places heavy emphasis on the guitar. It helps to create a very soothing and enchanting composition that perfectly encompasses the natural and chaotic forces of nature.
Something that stood out to me was that the tenth track, The Shrine / An Argument is initially vaguely reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel's Scarborough Fair. This later changes as the eight minute song takes some interesting turns. It gets a bit odd near the end for a bit.
The fifth track, The Plains / Bitter Dancer has a little something that reminds me the most of the last album.
Stand out tracks
I deeply enjoyed every track on the album. Some of tracks that stood out to me are Montezuma, Sim Sala Bim, Battery Kinzie and Helplessness Blues. I have to say though, Blue Spotted Tail remains my favorite because I've had a long time to get myself acquainted with it. Blue Spotted Tail was played and recorded on BBC some time ago. I've really grown accustomed to listening to the live rendition and was in for a surprise when I heard the recorded version. It is a very simple tune with soft vocals. Though I was initially dubious, I was soon won over. The execution goes hand in hand with the song's purposelessly fated message, reinforcing it and giving it more meaning. Blue Spotted Tail hits a somber note in its questioning of why everything is ill-fated and destined to end. I find it very existentialist in both approach and lyric.
Overall Impressions
Overall the album shows the Fleet Foxes maturing. There is still magic to be had in this album compared to the first album, however, it is a different sort of magic.
We always look foreword to hearing more from the Fleet Foxes.
