Fleet Foxes : Helplessness Blues

Anteater · 05-30-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

I knew you would be the one to rise to the challenge. The first song doesn't even hold a candle to "Helplessly Hoping". The second song, while good (I think I'm going to download whatever album that is on now), is still not up to par. The third song really tries, but fails to give that incredibly haunting feel that CSNY nail on that song.

I'll gladly listen to anything else you throw at me, though...you are giving me some good suggestions.

Glad you liked some of my challengers. Here's a few more!

~~Noah Bonez~~ · 06-07-2011, 05:27 AM

I say poor. I ventured out of my comfort zone on this one, but was not impressed.

Dukedudez · 06-09-2011, 03:37 PM

At first I didn't think it was as good as their first album. However, after listening to it a couple more times it has truly grown on me. This is album is incredible.

captaincaptain · 06-12-2011, 12:25 PM

I rated this album great. There's no sophomore slump. Though they did set the bar pretty high with the first album. For me the harmonies stay the same and the general ambience from the first album stays and that's all I need.

Electrophonic Tonic · 07-01-2011, 11:19 PM

Helplessness Blues is an album that I think is greater than the sum of its parts. With the exception of the title track, I can't really listen to any of the other tracks unless in the context of the album and it's playlist. Fleet Foxes released a whole album, not a collection of songs, in my opinion. That doesn't take anything away from the songs or the band.

I think it lacks the hooks and catchiness of the Sun Giant EP and especially the debut. This album has a more introverted attitude, more along the lines of Astral Weeks, Stormcock and Nick Drake's discography. In turn, it sounds like an incredibly disciplined and mature album and puts extra emphasis on the subtleties and little details.

It's a very different album from their debut, but it's still just as excellent.

starrynight · 07-02-2011, 01:02 AM

I didn't think the Sun Giant EP was that catchy. And this has nearly as much catchiness as the first album I think. I wouldn't compare it to Astral Weeks or Stormcock myself which are more about the production and the vocals to me.

Electrophonic Tonic · 07-02-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrynight

I didn't think the Sun Giant EP was that catchy. And this has nearly as much catchiness as the first album I think. I wouldn't compare it to Astral Weeks or Stormcock myself which are more about the production and the vocals to me.

I definitely think Sun Giant EP had it's moments of catchiness (Mykonos, obviously). Granted Sun Giant pales in that respect compared to the debut. But it seemed to me like Helplessness Blues was completely void of any hooks. That's not a bad thing, because that whole album is a beautiful, seamless masterpiece that didn't need tracks like Mykonos, White Winter Hymnal, He Doesn't Know Why, ect... to grab your attention.

I can see your point about Astral Weeks and Stormcock not sounding like Helplessness Blues. But for me, the mindset and goals of all three albums were very similar.

starrynight · 07-02-2011, 05:58 PM

Hooks on this album: Montezuma, The Cascades, Lorelai, The Shrine /An Argument. And those are the best songs for me. The others sound nice but don't stick with me.

zachsd · 07-04-2011, 09:16 PM

It's ok, I guess. Like the musicianship is good. I just can't get past the sort of pseudo-bucolic jerk-fest vibe of the album. "If I had an orchard I'd work till I'm sore" - LOL. Ultimately this album just feels really fake, very shallow. It's like the musical equivalent of a Thomas Kinkade painting. It's nice to look at, but holy fuck it doesn't say anything to me, like absolutely nothing, elicits nothing, etc. (other than just a sort of warm-fuzziness reminiscent of the feeling after you take an especially rewarding shit).

This is a Thomas Kinkade painting, btw.

Howard the Duck · 07-04-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrynight

I didn't think the Sun Giant EP was that catchy. And this has nearly as much catchiness as the first album I think. I wouldn't compare it to Astral Weeks or Stormcock myself which are more about the production and the vocals to me.

neither do I think Sun Giant was catchy

it's just atmospheric and moody and I prefer that EP over the new one

View Poll Results: Rate & Discuss
Excellent	21	37.50%
Great	16	28.57%
Good	14	25.00%
Okay	2	3.57%
Poor	3	5.36%
Voters: 56. You may not vote on this poll

06-09-2011, 03:37 PM	#43 (permalink)
Dukedudez Groupie Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2	At first I didn't think it was as good as their first album. However, after listening to it a couple more times it has truly grown on me. This is album is incredible. __________________ Looking for new music? Check out my music blog! http://www.gnewmusic.blogspot.com

06-12-2011, 12:25 PM	#44 (permalink)
captaincaptain I Am Become Death Metal Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stankonia Posts: 695	I rated this album great. There's no sophomore slump. Though they did set the bar pretty high with the first album. For me the harmonies stay the same and the general ambience from the first album stays and that's all I need. __________________ LAST.FM RYM

07-02-2011, 01:02 AM	#46 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	I didn't think the Sun Giant EP was that catchy. And this has nearly as much catchiness as the first album I think. I wouldn't compare it to Astral Weeks or Stormcock myself which are more about the production and the vocals to me. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

07-02-2011, 05:58 PM	#48 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	Hooks on this album: Montezuma, The Cascades, Lorelai, The Shrine /An Argument. And those are the best songs for me. The others sound nice but don't stick with me. __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

06-07-2011, 05:27 AM	#42 (permalink)
~~Noah Bonez~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 24	I say poor. I ventured out of my comfort zone on this one, but was not impressed.

07-01-2011, 11:19 PM	#45 (permalink)
Electrophonic Tonic Your Ad Here Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 876	Helplessness Blues is an album that I think is greater than the sum of its parts. With the exception of the title track, I can't really listen to any of the other tracks unless in the context of the album and it's playlist. Fleet Foxes released a whole album, not a collection of songs, in my opinion. That doesn't take anything away from the songs or the band. I think it lacks the hooks and catchiness of the Sun Giant EP and especially the debut. This album has a more introverted attitude, more along the lines of Astral Weeks, Stormcock and Nick Drake's discography. In turn, it sounds like an incredibly disciplined and mature album and puts extra emphasis on the subtleties and little details. It's a very different album from their debut, but it's still just as excellent.

07-04-2011, 09:16 PM	#49 (permalink)
zachsd Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 347	It's ok, I guess. Like the musicianship is good. I just can't get past the sort of pseudo-bucolic jerk-fest vibe of the album. "If I had an orchard I'd work till I'm sore" - LOL. Ultimately this album just feels really fake, very shallow. It's like the musical equivalent of a Thomas Kinkade painting. It's nice to look at, but holy fuck it doesn't say anything to me, like absolutely nothing, elicits nothing, etc. (other than just a sort of warm-fuzziness reminiscent of the feeling after you take an especially rewarding shit). This is a Thomas Kinkade painting, btw. __________________ lastfm rym Last edited by zachsd; 07-04-2011 at 09:21 PM.