Seattle's Fleet Foxes traffic in baroque harmonic pop. They draw influences from the traditions of folk, pop, choral, gospel, sacred harp singing, West Coast music, traditional music from Ireland to Japan, film scores, and their NW peers. The subject matter ranges from the natural world and familial bonds to bygone loves and stone cold graves.
It's now twenty years since grunge emerged from then culturally isolated Seattle and Fleet Foxes, 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 If Only I Could Remember My Name 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. ---Steve Jelbert
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Outstanding!:
Just love the gentle sounds and harmonies of this album...Indie at its best. The blend of musical styles in these songs from folk, to pop to a bit of country at times reminds me of another new artist I have found: Arrica Rose in her new album La La Lost.The more you listen to their music, the more you want to listen. This is music that doesn't get old but rather gets in your head and stays there in a good way.Check them both out.
Fleet Foxes have a very bright future!:
Heard a snippet of this album on WFUV.org - fantastic college radio station. The song White Winter Hymnal immediately caught my ear but I missed the name of the artist and song. Luckily I heard it again the following day and made note of the name. I went to the band's website and heard more. I was astounded! Clearly, openly, and lovingly influenced by 60's pop sounds and harmonies of the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkle, John Lennon, and so many more (all thanked in the liner notes), this young band takes... more info
Cross-generational:
I tried this album on a recommendation from Amazon based on other purchases and it is a winner. This band reminds me of a cross between
Crosby,Stills + Nash, The Grateful Dead and very early Genesis (which is not to say Fleet Foxes don't have an original sound - they do - I am just reminded of those other bands). An excellent album.
Pleasant and interesting:
The album by the Fleet Foxes is a very pleasing album with a folk sound. It is wonderful to listen to on a cold winter day on your Ipod while you are sitting by the fire. The group shows great promise and I hope their future endeavors improve upon what they have started here. Definitely worth looking into if you enjoy folk music, or are looking for something different and new.
