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Showing reviews 1-5 of 73
 Excellent follow-up January 12, 2010
Dr. Rock (Vermont)
40 out of 48 found this review helpful
After releasing their debut album, Vampire Weekend seemed to face a dilemma. They could either make another album with more of the same or completely change their sound. Either way, they were bound to receive scorn from critics. But somehow, they managed to evolve while still maintaining their signature sound. Anyway, let's get down to business...
Track by track:
"Horchata" - A great opener that sets the tone for yet another summery, poppy indie release from Vampire Weekend. The use of marimba and kalimba is new yet sounds very fitting. (9/10)
"White Sky" - This song has been played by the band for at least a year before they recorded it. I'm glad to see it was finally recorded. (7/10)
"Holiday" - A straightforward pop song with obvious ska influence. Instantly catchy. (8/10)
"California English" - Interesting use of auto-tune. I never thought someone would use auto-tune in a way that wasn't blatant and annoying. (8/10)
"Taxi Cab" - This is new territory for the band. Ezra sings in a low voice, buried under strings and programmed piano pieces. Very calming track with some of their best lyrics yet. (9/10)
"Run" - Things pick back up with this track which was instantly one of my favorites. The arrangements are very engaging on this one. The choruses are instrumental but quite effective. (9/10)
"Cousins" - When I first heard this song I didn't really care for it because I had only heard it live. Once I heard the recording, I was converted. It seems to capture the spirit of A-Punk but I feel like it lacks a hook. The ending makes up for it though. (8/10)
"Giving Up The Gun" - I was so excited to hear that this song would be on Contra. Ezra's old hip-hop band, L'homme Run, recorded an old version of this song years ago called "Giving Up Da Gun," and I used to listen to it nonstop. Very glad to see that they went back to the well. (10/10)
"Diplomat's Son" - This track is the band's longest song yet and features some vocals done by Rostam during the bridge. I really dig the white-guy-reggae vibe. I found it especially funny when Ezra mentions that he "smoked a joint." (10/10)
"I Think Ur A Contra" - Hands down my favorite song on the album. The band truly ended the album with their masterpiece. Not only are the lyrics in this song their most sincere, but the arrangement they used is among their strongest. The subtle atmosphere paired with their first ever use of acoustic guitar makes the song sound genuinely heartfelt and sets it apart from their repertoire. (10/10)
Overall, I think this album is on par with their debut and I will be spinning it nonstop for months to come.
Vampire Weekend One-Ups Themselves with "Contra" January 12, 2010
Leif Sheppard
In a nutshell, Vampire Weekend's modus operandi is to take your favorite music genre and turn it on its head. It's a formula that's primarily built upon a mashup of African pop music, American indie, and English rock - which is enough to give even the most curious pause. It's this aspect that no doubt prompted a reviewer with Clash Music to recently label VW as the "most unlikely crowd pleasers" in the music business. Though this is an entirely apt description, the band's success lies in their consistent ability to create innovative and engaging pop music no matter what national heritage they're paying homage to. VW's latest effort, "Contra", is a stellar follow-up to their eponymous debut, which was one of the most exciting releases of 2008. Occasionally, it would seem, substance truly does triumph over image.
"Contra" has earned universal praise from professional critics, with Pitchfork awarding it an 8.6 of 10, Rolling Stone ranking it four of five stars, Paste Magazine giving it an 86 of 100, and IGN awarding an incredible 9.6 of 10. Considering this, I wouldn't pay much mind to the resultant backlash the band has received since the release of their debut, as this is an inevitable result of an indie band gradually achieving mainstream success. Fans are notoriously fickle when their favorite act "sells out", when their focus should directed on whether or not the band maintains its integrity. As Pitchfork notes in its review: "Of course, haters will still find plenty to hate about 'Contra', and they'll hate it with vigor. Considering the ferocious objections to Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut, 'Horchata', and the rest of 'Contra', is brave music. It's like they've spent the past two years building a bionic version of the band - not only brighter and tighter, but weirder."
To be fair, VW's debut certainly wasn't flawless. For instance, "A-Punk" was a cleverly crafted radio single ripe for selling copies of VW's debut to the masses, but it reminded me of a frat-boy version of The Ramones. The real meat of the record could be found in masterful tracks like "Mansard Roof" and "Oxford Comma", which were endlessly listenable and more indicative of VW's fusion-laden style. A careful examination of their debut reveals an excitingly spirited, avant-garde approach to pop music. It was an excellent record, but perhaps a tinge overrated, with most of the praise stemming from their inimitable style rather than the actual strength of the songs. So despite the ground VW broke with their debut, they still had much to prove as a viable act, and as a result I didn't anticipate outright greatness from sophomore album "Contra".
However, after streaming just one track online ("Horchata"), I found myself immediately buying this album the day of its release. It should be noted that the playtime barely cracks a scant thirty-four minutes, yet it appears Vampire Weekend wisely sacrificed length for quality. "Contra" is every bit as accessible as their debut whilst still retaining a high degree of artistry, and because of this "Contra" abundantly rewards repeat listens. The aforementioned "Horchata" opens the album and instantly draws the listener in, driven along by Ezra Koenig's fluid vocals and his trademark idiosyncratic lyrics: "In December drinking Horchata, I'd look psychotic in a balaclava. Winter's cold is too much to handle, pincher crabs that pinch at your sandals."
First single "Cousins" appears specifically crafted to serve as the "A-Punk" equivalent of "Contra", as it's a fast-paced and lightweight rocker that's feels slightly out of place. It seems designed to draw casual radio listeners in, and as a result it's not the best representation of the sound Vampire Weekend is so careful to cultivate. "Cousins" is a strong track to be certain, better than "A-Punk" even, but VW's real ace-in-the-hole is their stock of more artistic arrangements that belie their pop origins. One notable misstep is their use of autotune on "California English", even considering I'm a major fan of Rostam Batmanglij's (multi-instrumentalist member of VW) side project Discovery. It's something that works for Discovery's glitzy style, but doesn't quite mesh with VW's more straight-laced aesthetic, try as they might.
That aside, "Contra" is an absolutely exciting start to 2010, ringing in the winter with a culling of exquisite pop songs. It's a bit more subdued than their debut, not quite as bombastic, yet I count this as its strongest suit. That, and the fact that there is no saccharine-laced, standout radio single like "A-Punk" here. Trust me, the record is all the better for it. "Holiday" is a prime example of classic VW, and could be a killer single. In Koenig's own words, it's their attempt at "fourth-wave ska". "Giving Up the Gun" is another fantastic cut of indie pop with a strong percussion section and an attractive melody, it's one of those songs I can imagine creeping into corporate ads years from now. "I Think Ur a Contra" flows about at a somewhat languid pace, yet it's easily the most beautiful track here and a brilliant way to close the record.
On the creation of the album, Koenig himself stated in an interview with MTV: "We do cover a lot of ground on it, and that's the challenge. Because I really don't like records where it's the same sounds and the same tempos and the same vibe for every song - it just seems kind of pointless. All the records that I've ever really loved are the ones where they cover a lot of ground. So how do you do that and still make it feel like one album? That's what we tried to do with 'Contra'." I couldn't agree more, because ultimately there's no higher plateau an artist can aim for. After giving "Contra" a few spins I can confidently make the claim that, to my great admiration, VW have risen to the challenge and emerged victorious.
Humbling, Methodic, Melodic, Complex to say the least January 12, 2010
Bryan Smathers
I am amazed, I had assumed the next spun gold would not be able to compare witht he first. I have seen them in concert and been humbled by their abilities. This is one of the most unique bands I've heard over the past 10 years and I feel strongly that if there is hope for taste and tallent in the future of the is great land known for innovation Vampire Weekend is it.
The first track is an elaborate jouney full of violins,tribal drums, xylophone, and a few procussions I can't make out. This is overlapped with mysterious, unique, purposeful vocals which are the mark of this great band.
I have a feeling this will be my favorite song, as Oxford Comma was my favorite from the last.
-Thank you for cutting through the void of ceaseless, senseless, rambling that fills the lexicon with an album that makes me happy to have ears.
I love it. January 12, 2010
whimsical_sun (Baltimore,MD)
These charming lads who dropped out of Harvard have stole my heart yet again.
A remix from M.I.A and a lot of inspiration from Wes Anderson.
The album is humble,feel good,energetic.
Best Songs:
Horchata
Holiday
Cousins
I Think Ur A Contra
Expectations exceeded January 12, 2010
Trevor
I had hyped this album up to nearly unrealistic expectations, but Contra has more than met them. Out of the ten tracks only one, 'Holiday,' does not get a thumbs up. The other 9 tracks are great.
Vampire Weekend has expanded their sound and flexed new range while staying true to their charming original style. Stop reading and buy the album.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 73
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