New York's highly buzzed about Vampire Weekend are back with their much anticipated sophomore effort, "Contra", The follow up to their critically acclaimed, self-titled 2008 debut, this new effort finds the indie rockers continuing to deliver their blend of African inspired rhythms and classical music in a sound that is unlike anything that has ever been heard before.
The album starts off with "Horchata", a highly melodic, laid-back number with frontman Ezra Koenig's calm, cool vocals lending accompaniment to the African inspired rhythms heard throughout the song. "Holiday" is an upbeat, funky number that is guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance with its rhythmic guitars and bombastic drums heard faintly in the background. "California English" is a very unique song with its classical music inspired melody and Ezra's random lyrical references to rice cakes, Philly cheese steaks, and toothpaste. Three things you never thought you would hear in a song together, but it works extremely well here, all adding up to the wonder that is Vampire Weekend.
Other standout tracks on the album include "Taxi Cab", a mellow, laid back number that does a wonderful job of blending African inspired rhythms and Western classical music into a melodic and beautiful track. "Run", a thumping, bombastic track that has rhythms similar to "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" from their self titled debut, which helped solidify their status as indie rock's posterboys, and also making history by becoming the first band to appear on the cover of SPIN magazine before their debut album was even released, all adding up to the enormous buzz about the band beforehand.
My favorite track off the album is the disc's first single, "Cousins", a loud and fast tune with a melodic punch that is short, concise, and gets to the point quickly with its spontaneous, rhythmic guitars and furious drum patterns setting the song at a frenetic pace.
All around, a terrific follow up effort from one of the most unique and musically adventurous bands around today. Vampire Weekend are not afraid to take risks when creating new music, and traveling down those creative avenues seems to be paying big dividends for them again this time around. Highly recommended!
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- Horchata
- White Sky
- Holiday
- California English
- Taxi Cab
- Run
- Cousins
- Giving Up the Gun
- Diplomat's Son
- I Think Ur A Contra
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