Vampire Weekend

Rainard Jalen · 03-22-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expletive Deleted

I don't have a problem with their image at all. In fact, I figured they were just another blogger buzz band until I read a little about them and hoped they would be something more. So I guess you could say I bought into the image for positive reasons, until I realized they sucked and stopped listening.

Not that anything is particularly wrong with disliking a band for their image, it's just that in the case of Vampire Weekend it doesn't really make me like them any less.

No, fair enough, I wasn't accusing you of that. I've just found the sentiment quite widespread.

adidasss · 03-22-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3KilledMyRainDog

I'm sure one characteristic is shared by a million and one bands. I'll bet a million and one bands use electrical equipment, or have drums but one characteristic is not what i'm bitching about, and wouldn't make a bad sound.

Its a combination of bad characteristics, or in this case a lack thereof. The hollow body of the songs, the wavering doe-eyed vocals, the loose composition of the arrangements. This is coupled with the auxiliary issues of terrible aesthetics, a kowtowing to what can only be fashion trackers, and that blood curdling affected look of apathy.

I think their an atrocity.

I love the attempt of an informed critique. Too bad there's no actual meaning behind the plethora of adjectives.

Quote:

wow that was a ****ty thing to say. were you speaking to me on that one? Shows you what a e-lifetime of contribution will get you.

It's a fact sir, you don't listen to or like indie pop. You can talk all you want about alt. country or the newest Cake album, but don't come here and annoy the rest of us that actually know what we're talking about...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expletive Deleted

Oh, please. If Vampire Weekend didn't have the whole "we're ivy league grads making *gasp* INDIE!" gimmick, no one would care about them at all.

Em, yes we would, because we think the music is pretty good.

I really don't know anyone that listens to bland music simply because they're the new hot thing and have a cool image.

Expletive Deleted · 03-22-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

I really don't know anyone that listens to bland music simply because they're the new hot thing and have a cool image.

Then I guess you don't know any hipsters.

adidasss · 03-22-2008, 12:03 PM

Lol, no I don't, but they couldn't possibly be that numerous...

Rainard Jalen · 03-22-2008, 12:29 PM

I know of one type of music that people WILL listen to simply because it's cool and hip, and even admit to that (on occasion) and shamelessly declare that the music's alright but that it's the after-parties that it's really all about: minimal tech.

Not indie pop... for which I agree that people generally only listen to if they actually like the songs and the music. And in the case of Vampire Weekend, it's clearly a case of the latter. I alone (and others on these boards) can vouch for enjoying this album a lot, without thinking they're great or anything. Just objectively. And I see no reason why the rest of those who have said they like it should be posing. It's clearly a listenable and enjoyable record for those who dig the aesthetic.

Expletive Deleted · 03-22-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainard Jalen

I know of one type of music that people WILL listen to simply because it's cool and hip, and even admit to that (on occasion) and shamelessly declare that the music's alright but that it's the after-parties that it's really all about: minimal tech.

Not indie pop... for which I agree that people generally only listen to if they actually like the songs and the music. And in the case of Vampire Weekend, it's clearly a case of the latter. I alone (and others on these boards) can vouch for enjoying this album a lot, without thinking they're great or anything. Just objectively. And I see no reason why the rest of those who have said they like it should be posing. It's clearly a listenable and enjoyable record for those who dig the aesthetic.

People will listen to ANY music that they think is cool. Sure, there are a lot of scenesters into minimal these days because it's the "cool thing to do," but that's probably why there's backlash against it all over the place. It's not like it's a genre designed solely for cool people to hear at clubs. Besides, there's a lot more going on to make people like minimal than simply wanting to feel "cool."

You honestly don't believe that there are people who like Vampire Weekend solely because they're the new buzz band? That's an awfully naive sentiment.

Rainard Jalen · 03-22-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expletive Deleted

People will listen to ANY music that they think is cool. Sure, there are a lot of scenesters into minimal these days because it's the "cool thing to do," but that's probably why there's backlash against it all over the place. It's not like it's a genre designed solely for cool people to hear at clubs.

You honestly don't believe that there are people who like Vampire Weekend solely because they're the new buzz band? That's an awfully naive sentiment.

Oh, not at all - course there are probably some like that. But really, I see no reason why the majority of fans would not be of the sort who simply enjoy it for it. Like I said, it's an enjoyable record for anybody who enjoys this sound and anything similar to it. I've played it to a few people who had no idea what or who VW are, and it was a hit with most (including my brother who doesn't follow music on the internet at all but likes indie pop). You talk as if it's some lump of crud, it isn't. It's not that great, but it's got plenty of good songs and hooks to keep seasoned music fans interested. Cripes, especially compared to most of the rubbish on the British indie circuit for example, it's not hard to see why some people would see this record as a godsend.

Expletive Deleted · 03-22-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainard Jalen

Oh, not at all - course there are probably some like that. But really, I see no reason why the majority of fans would not be of the sort who simply enjoy it for it. Like I said, it's an enjoyable record for anybody who enjoys this sound and anything similar to it. I've played it to a few people who had no idea what or who VW are, and it was a hit with most (including my brother who doesn't follow music on the internet at all but likes indie pop). You talk as if it's some lump of crud, it isn't. It's not that great, but it's got plenty of good songs and hooks to keep seasoned music fans interested. Cripes, especially compared to most of the rubbish on the British indie circuit for example, it's not hard to see why some people would see this record as a godsend.

I'm not saying that lots of people don't like Vampire Weekend because they like the band, just that a lot of people also buy into the hype and the image.

Also, IMHO, it is a terrible album. Maybe not as bad as the majority of British indie at the moment, but then it's hard to reach that level of suck. Maybe some people should have higher standards?

adidasss · 03-22-2008, 02:15 PM

People may listen to the album based on the hype, but they won't keep listening to it because of it. C'mon...no one's that retarded...

the13thzen · 03-24-2008, 02:13 AM

I saw them on SNL a couple weeks ago and thought they were pretty cool and unique-sounding. Heard they were going to be at Coachella this year. I wish I was going.

03-22-2008, 12:03 PM	#64 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	Lol, no I don't, but they couldn't possibly be that numerous... __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

03-22-2008, 02:15 PM	#69 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,993	People may listen to the album based on the hype, but they won't keep listening to it because of it. C'mon...no one's that retarded... __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm

03-22-2008, 12:29 PM	#65 (permalink)
Rainard Jalen Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,221	I know of one type of music that people WILL listen to simply because it's cool and hip, and even admit to that (on occasion) and shamelessly declare that the music's alright but that it's the after-parties that it's really all about: minimal tech. Not indie pop... for which I agree that people generally only listen to if they actually like the songs and the music. And in the case of Vampire Weekend, it's clearly a case of the latter. I alone (and others on these boards) can vouch for enjoying this album a lot, without thinking they're great or anything. Just objectively. And I see no reason why the rest of those who have said they like it should be posing. It's clearly a listenable and enjoyable record for those who dig the aesthetic.

03-24-2008, 02:13 AM	#70 (permalink)
the13thzen Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 26	I saw them on SNL a couple weeks ago and thought they were pretty cool and unique-sounding. Heard they were going to be at Coachella this year. I wish I was going.