Fleet Foxes : Helplessness Blues

starrynight · 07-05-2011, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachsd

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.

Well what is fake to you may not be fake to someone else, I think 'fake' just means you don't connect to their songs. Perhaps you prefer rootsy folk music. This is really folk-rock, so it won't be as rootsy that isn't it's intention. Maybe some folk music is from people who are more 'urban', and they have their own specific view of folk music and nature.

Mrd00d · 07-11-2011, 03:31 PM

So I guess what you're trying to say is ... "If YOU had an orchard you'd work till you're sore"?

Cuz if I had an orchard I'd sell it. Or hire workers. Anything to not have to work anywhere near the point of fatigue or exhaustion. I certainly can't relate to a line like that ^.

Howard the Duck · 07-25-2011, 01:50 AM

it's getting better with every listen, I must admit

Zer0 · 08-03-2011, 04:54 PM

I thought this album would grow on me after I got it but I just got sick of it shortly after and had no real desire to listen to it. I decided to give it a listen a couple of week ago and I actually found myself switching to something else during the second track. I enjoyed their debut and listened to it quite a lot but something just doesn't feel right with this second album and it's hard to put my finger on what exactly it is. It kind of feels like the band are trying too hard to be folky and it doesn't really feel that authentic or something. There's some great instrumentation on the album alright but there's something about the songs and feel of the album that dosn't quite do it for me.

AgeOfOddz · 09-11-2011, 07:31 AM

Great album, the lyrics, melodies and just overall songwriting has improved since their previous release.

**Goofle** · 12-29-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zer0

I thought this album would grow on me after I got it but I just got sick of it shortly after and had no real desire to listen to it. I decided to give it a listen a couple of week ago and I actually found myself switching to something else during the second track. I enjoyed their debut and listened to it quite a lot but something just doesn't feel right with this second album and it's hard to put my finger on what exactly it is. It kind of feels like the band are trying too hard to be folky and it doesn't really feel that authentic or something. There's some great instrumentation on the album alright but there's something about the songs and feel of the album that dosn't quite do it for me.

Agree. Listened to it fully about five times now and it is severely underwhelming. I love their first LP as well.

**Goofle** · 12-30-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom Limb

That was the worst review I've ever read in my life. Complete and utter bull****. How can you possibly give such a scathing review to such a well put together album. Obviously not everyone will like it, but you have to respect it when it's this well done.

Completely agree. Considering this is a magazine that worships the ground that Mumford and Sons, Elbow, The Vaccines etc. walk on, it was really surprising to see that kind of review.

Still not in love with the album. Many have given it Album of the Year which I can understand. Hell, if Bon Iver can get a few mentions...

It is clearly a great sound, just ends up boring me.

starrynight · 12-31-2011, 06:33 PM

I'd definitely put Fleet Foxes well ahead of Bon Iver musically, and it's hard to ever see that changing when you look at both their first two albums

Howard the Duck · 01-01-2012, 02:16 AM

Bon Iver doesn't do anything for me

but i love the Foxes

Abstract · 01-01-2012, 05:29 PM

I never could really get into the Fleet Foxes, the vocals just don't click with me. I am much more into Bon Iver.. if you really listen to Justin Vernon's single albums, the man has an incredible voice.

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07-11-2011, 03:31 PM	#52 (permalink)
Mrd00d Stoned and Jammin' Out Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern California; Eugene, OR; mobile Posts: 1,602	So I guess what you're trying to say is ... "If YOU had an orchard you'd work till you're sore"? Cuz if I had an orchard I'd sell it. Or hire workers. Anything to not have to work anywhere near the point of fatigue or exhaustion. I certainly can't relate to a line like that ^. __________________ Mrd00d's Last.fm

08-03-2011, 04:54 PM	#54 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	I thought this album would grow on me after I got it but I just got sick of it shortly after and had no real desire to listen to it. I decided to give it a listen a couple of week ago and I actually found myself switching to something else during the second track. I enjoyed their debut and listened to it quite a lot but something just doesn't feel right with this second album and it's hard to put my finger on what exactly it is. It kind of feels like the band are trying too hard to be folky and it doesn't really feel that authentic or something. There's some great instrumentation on the album alright but there's something about the songs and feel of the album that dosn't quite do it for me. __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound Last edited by Zer0; 08-03-2011 at 06:56 PM.

12-31-2011, 06:33 PM	#58 (permalink)
starrynight Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 937	I'd definitely put Fleet Foxes well ahead of Bon Iver musically, and it's hard to ever see that changing when you look at both their first two albums __________________ non-cliquey member of every music forum I participate on

09-11-2011, 07:31 AM	#55 (permalink)
AgeOfOddz Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 76	Great album, the lyrics, melodies and just overall songwriting has improved since their previous release.

01-01-2012, 05:29 PM	#60 (permalink)
Abstract Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: The Frontier Posts: 60	I never could really get into the Fleet Foxes, the vocals just don't click with me. I am much more into Bon Iver.. if you really listen to Justin Vernon's single albums, the man has an incredible voice.