Let's face it, the purity of vision in Fleet Foxes incredible debut album was never going to be repeated. There was a directness to that set which left an instant impression with songs that knocked you out immediately because os their melodies. The gorgeous close harmonies and wall-of-sound Folk music were merely the icing on the cake. 'Helplessness Blues' on the other hand is a harder listen at first, it may take four or five goes before these songs really lock together and start to make sense. This is still lush Folk-Pop bound with amazing Beach Boys vocals to make a unique baroque flavour. But this time there's more, the expressive guitar patterns on 'The Cascades' bring to mind the pastoral shades of the UK's progressive Folk years in the early 70s as all over more experimental tangents are thrown in. Towards the end 'The Shrine/An Argument' explodes at one point with what sounds like a burst of far out sax blowing Jazz hard bop. Then, as if to remind us of who we're dealing with, they close on 'Grown Ocean' which ebbs and flows with a hymnal, hypnotic grace. The Fleet Foxes second album expands on their debut whilst retaining the core elements that set them apart from the pack. Given time, it opens up to become an even better record than that hugely acclaimed debut.
No comments:
Post a Comment