Fleet Foxes
 

If you haven't heard Fleet Foxes self-titled album, go now and get it.
It's a gorgeous record with 11 perfect songs; very reminiscent of Brian Wilson at his peak -
with classic CSN and a little My Morning Jacket and the Innocence Mission thrown in for good measure.
These are real campfire songs from a young band that loves to sing together. Everything in the recording is there to serve the
vocals, which is something we haven't heard that much since Fleetwood Mac's creative peak around 1979.

Although the lead vocals sound a lot like My Morning Jacket here and there; the music has a lot more in common with the Shins "New Slang"
or even the Kingston Trio. And just to make it sound completely derivative, there are tracks that echo the Who and Arcade Fire.
Oddly enough, even with all these comparisons, the songs as a whole sound fresh and original.
It's not often that an album comes along that really gets under my skin the way this one did this summer.
I'm a little shocked at how addicted I've become to this record.
There are also moments that remind me a lot of Danny Kirwan-era Fleetwood Mac.
Easily one of the best albums of 2008.

I've had it for a couple of weeks ..I concur it is one of the best of the year just incredible harmonies.songs and musicianship. and an overall cohesiveness that is a wonder to hear these days .Experiencing an album like this restores my faith in the direction of new music

a LITTLE My Morning Jacket????

Its a very good album, but lets not overlook the overwhelming influence here.

OT-ish: Scritti Politti
 

I don't mean to go off-topic or to be rude. However, this thread reminded me that I should recommend Scritti Politti's White Bread, Black Beer (2006). Those who dig Lindsey's solo work, I should think, would find this quite to their liking.

Saw them on Letterman the other night... Great sound! Dave was holding up the LP instead of the CD of their Album at the end... It was odd looking (so huge) but cool to see that.

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but I just bought this album with the Sun Giant EP. I have to say I haven't been this blown away by a new band since....The Black Crowes (that was because they were a band from the Stones/Faces mold and not hair metal, 1990 was a dark time), and this eclipses that by a wide margin. I've always discovered bands after they've been established.

I was curious which songs you hear Danny Kirwan-era Fleetwood Mac (you're not the only one who has said this) and The Who? I've even read that the band's moodiness reminds them of Peter Green era Mac. Personally the obvious influences are Brian Wilson ("English House" on the EP...wow!), Neil Young (the chord progressions), David Crosby, English folk rock (Fairport Convention), and Paul Simon. I know there are others, but I just bought the albums yesterday.

I thought "Mudcrutch" would be my album of the year, but this has definately replaced it.

I will have to agree about being one of the best new albums of the year. My best friend played it for me when it came out, and I liked it right away. I did hear a little Brian Wilson influence but I wouldn't make that comparison. She thinks I compare everything really great to that musical deity, Brian Wilson :nod: I will have to get me a copy of that after work!

Or you could just get your friend to burn you a copy, right?

I LOVE the Fleet Foxes album!!! It's really beautiful to chill out to and very reminiscent of Brian Wilson. I highly recommend it.

Hey, that's a great idea, 'cept my friend is one busy bee, so I try not to bug her too much. I'm not sure she even remembers me she's so busy :distress: :xoxo: :p

Now, I don't mind getting burned CDs of new things to hear, but if I really like it, I prefer to go and buy a copy. And I DO like this one! They even played a track on NPR the other day. Good Stuff!

Ummm... Isn't Gift of Screws the best album of the year?

Hmmm, maybe. Fleetfoxes have been on my ipod for 5 months now. After the first thrill, I have to say it loses it's initial attraction. And GOS is gaining attraction and balance after multiple listens. For me, Airborne Toxic Event is a serious competitor for GOS. Maybe Connor Oberst. Maybe My Morning Jacket, although the "pastiche"-ness of some of those songs get on my nerves after a while.....

Nah...Maybe Gift Of screws deserves an honorable place on top of the yearlist.

GOS tops it for me. I got the Fleet Foxes album when it came out and really liked it (still do) but it's not getting really consistant listens after the first month of owning it. It's an album that, while great, was slightly spoiled by all the hype I'd heard about it.

Wow, I'd totally agree with that. I've had this album for ages too and I rarely listen to it now. Also I've seen them twice now and the second time they were good but it wasn't quite as thrilling. I think Midlake's album of a couple of years back, who Fleet Foxes remind me of, actually still holds up a lot better.