Fleet Foxes Self-Titled Album Review

The Quick and Easy
Sound: The lovechild of Simon & Garfunkel, My Morning Jacket, and The Beach Boys.
Label: Sub Pop
Album: Fleet Foxes
Show: Everywhere

Ten years ago, two friends started writing songs in their basement, attempting to follow in the footsteps of some of their favorite folk groups. Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset were only teens listening to their parents’ old albums and jamming out. This jamming would eventually turn into one of the hottest indie albums of 2008.

The Foxes are a five-piece Seattle based band comprised of the lead singer Pecknold and guitarist Skjelset. In 2006, they added keyboard player Casey Wescott and Nick Peterson on the drums.  Bassist Christian Ward signed on later, completing the quintet.  They have a loyal following and have played at gigs like South by Southwest in Austin, and Bumbershoot in Seattle.  After the release of their Sun Giant EP earlier this year, they put out their first full length, self-titled album on June 3rd to rave reviews

Their songs invoke images of the beauty of the outside world, but just like climbing a monster hill, I had to work at this album too. I listened to it a dozen times before my head actually started to bop along.I recently spent six months hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail; climbing up mountains well into the night. While I didn’t always feel jubilant, I found feeling of happiness after completing an arduous, outdoor task—it helped me see the world’s beauty. Similarly, the songs are simplistic, but reveal themselves over time.

The quintet describe their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams." They are often compared to My Morning Jacket, and I hear Simon and Garfunkel with a tinge of country. Robin Pecknold voice creates harmonies on the album are out-of-this-world good.The eclectic instrumentation includes guitar, banjo, tom-toms, bells, and everything in between.

There are several gems on the album. “Blue Ridge Mountains” is energetic throughout and the harmonies are in top form. The lyrics conjure up images of critters and trees and butterflies, and I am admittedly enamored most with songs about Tennessee. Many tracks were written as parts and meshed together to create a finished product. You can definitely hear this in “White Water Hymnal” and “Ragged Wood. Sometimes, this blended style makes the songs long-winded and forgettable. The tiresome “Meadowlarks” puts me to sleep every time.

In the end, the album is worth checking out. The talent of these guys is off the charts.  Just make sure you give the record a few listens before you give up on it.