Fleet Foxes

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's now twenty years since grunge emerged from then culturally isolated Seattle and iFleet Foxes/i, the eponymous debut album from the city's latest heroes, demonstrates just how much American independent rock has mutated in that time. The five young members of Fleet Foxes make up a very different sort of rock band, describing their own music as "baroque harmonic pop jams". Even that understates the depths of the quintet's effortless vocal harmonies and gently woozy, folky feel. Of their contemporaries only the enigmatic Midlake and My Morning Jacket at their most fragile come close, but neither could have cooked up the Beach Boys spiritual of "White Winter Hymnal" or its more powerful companion piece "Ragged Wood". In fact Fleet Foxes happily admit to aspiring to an earlier tradition--not just obvious antecedents like the Byrds, the Association, Neil Young and, especially, David Crosby's famously unfocussed solo album iIf Only I Could Remember My Name/i but ancient English folk songs and their later American descendents. All were hunted and gathered from the internet--songwriters Robin Pecknold and Skye Skjelset are barely in their twenties. Add a host of unlikely instruments and the results are stunning, the complete antithesis of mainstream stadium indie that has followed Arcade Fire. Still, the cover features a Bruegel painting of peasants that might have graced any Black Sabbath sleeve. In that way at least Fleet Foxes salute a local tradition. i-—Steve Jelbert/i

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-06-30 rating:
Very nearly a classic.
I'll keep this short and relatively sweet. This is truly an incredible album for those who are into their 'beard folk' - fairytale lyrics, enchanting guitars and vocal harmonies fit to send shockwaves through anyone. Fleet Foxes are going to be huge in 2009 and if you haven't heard this album yet, you are truly missing out. br / br /The downside is, in places the album can get slightly 'samey' upon the first few listens, it'll take a while to get all the tracks into your head. The 2 disc edition comes with some classics, including my particular favourite 'Mykonos'. br / br /Definitely a must have for any fans of acoustic or the new bearded generation of indie.

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review by: date: 2009-06-27 rating:
I was following the pack...that led me to Fleet Foxes
Rock'n'Roll Seattle-style is closer to grunge and hard rock, so it comes as a complete surprise to hear the harmony-infused acoustic-folk, campfire sounds of 'Fleet Foxes'. With a debut album closer to a cross between 'David Crosby' and a 'Pastoral School Choir', than to guitar-driven rock, I really had to sit back and listen intently to this lot in case I missed something. I was glad that I took the time, the songs are great company, and definitly a world removed from most acts out there today. The pick of the bunch is 'White Winter Hymnal' with a melody so infectious that it just never leaves your head. The rest of the album is a joy to behold. It is different but yet very accessible and if you like diversity in your CD collection, then this sits just nicely. Hard to categorize and even harder to put down. Enjoy..

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review by: i #60;3 music date: 2009-06-26 rating:
amazing sounds for a relaxing listen
the fleet foxes create the most incredible spiritual sound and feeling in their music, truely relaxing yet uplifting too! personal favourite = tiger mountain peasant song; can't stop singing it.

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review by: date: 2009-06-20 rating:
Fleet
If you liked their recent chart releases you will like the album. Best bought in 2 cd version


review by: Paul date: 2009-06-08 rating:
Great, but no cigar...
This band has received an awful lot of praise over the past year and perhaps much of it derives from astonishment at such a young band raised in the age of iTunes absorbing such distantly old-fashioned influences: Appalachian folk music, blended choral harmonies; music free of studio trickery and largely ignoring that rock n' roll ever happened, yet melodic and smooth enough to pass as a pop record. Truly, the most contemporary Fleet Foxes get are nods to The Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills Nash, which would take us to about 1968. Their debut is at times a beautiful and very listenable record (I especially enjoyed 'Ragged Wood' and 'He Doesn't Know Why') but something about its perfectly-executed homage to pop's (pre)history leaves me cold. There are absolutely no rough edges here and very little passion. They don't match the aforementioned Crosby, Stills Nash for sheer inventiveness, nor are they as good as singers as the Wilson brothers. Probably the only 'new' band that your great-grandparents would like, it's sweet to listen to, inoffensive but ultimately a bit bland. br / br /

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