Binding: LP Record
EAN: 0098787077711
Label: Sub Pop
Manufacturer: Sub Pop
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Sub Pop
Release Date: 2008-06-03
Studio: Sub Pop

2008 album from this Seattle based quintet. Fleet Foxes are, for lack of an imminently more marketable descriptor, a group trafficking in baroque harmonic pop. And the joy they derive in doing so is palpable. We feel it too. They are, self-described, not much of a rock band. With the help of credit cards, minimum wages, tip money, friends and family, Fleet Foxes crafted their first demo, and subsequently the Sun Giant EP and this debut full-length album, with family friend Phil Ek manning the rudder. Drawing influence from the traditions of folk music, pop, choral music and gospel, sacred harp singing, West Coast music, traditional music from Ireland to Japan, film scores, and their NW peers, Fleet Foxes ranges in subject matter from the natural world and familial bonds to bygone loves and stone cold graves.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Pleasant and interesting
Comment: The album by the Fleet Foxes is a very pleasing album with a folk sound. It is wonderful to listen to on a cold winter day on your Ipod while you are sitting by the fire. The group shows great promise and I hope their future endeavors improve upon what they have started here. Definitely worth looking into if you enjoy folk music, or are looking for something different and new.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Quite Incredible
Comment: This record really defies description. It's at the same time very baroque, very Indian influenced folk, and very prog-rock, in the vein of softer Yes. Agreed, I do hear "Pet Sounds" era Brian Wilson and later Zombies mixed in -- But this record does a masterful job of not overloading the production with too many influences. And the songs are extremely well constructed and performed.

I bought the 2 LP set that includes the "Sun Giant" EP, which also comes with a code to download the MP3s for both albums.

All and all, a very satisfying addition to my music collection.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply Amazing!
Comment: I can't believe a group of guys in their early twenties created such a masterpiece from the starting gate. I got this album on the recommendation of a friend whose tastes I respect and can be quite honest in saying it through me for a loop the first couple of listens. It challenged me in ways I hadn't been challenged in a while and took me a bit of time to sink into it. It does and does not sound like many artists I've heard before which is a testament to a band distilling past influences while creating something completely their own.

I live in Seattle and had really been getting tired of the local scene here. All of the bands were beginning to sound like knock off's of Death Cab For Cutie or The Shins. While both are great bands, we didn't need twenty of them. Fleet Foxes have taken this city by storm and it will be interesting to see whether they can gain traction with the rest of the country. Part of me thinks they won't simply because they have a sound so wildly different than what is currently out there right now.

I would list favorite tracks on the album but it really seems pointless to me. The entire album feels seamless with each song complimenting the previous and next. It truly is a record that is best digested whole, in one sitting. Time will tell if they can build on this amazing debut, however, as young and ambitious as they are, I'm willing to bet they can.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Album!!! Buy It ASAP
Comment: If you like Brian Wilson's later stuff (e.g. Pet Sounds, Surf's Up, Smile), Neil Young, The Band, CSNY or any of those legendary folks, than you will LOVE this album. I almost lost my faith in pop/rock and was about to limit my listening entirely to classical and soundtracks/scores until I came upon this album.

Fleet Foxes, Wilco, Ray Lamontagne are the REAL indie musicians that you all should be checking out (well...Wilco is pretty big these days...but you get my drift). Death Cab ain't beans to the Fleet Foxes. Its not often that you get young guys who can sing 4-5 part harmonies, write good lyrics with strong compositions and can do this LIVE without all the vocal processors and BS. Definitely check em out...you won't be disappointed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Totally Awesome!!!
Comment: I first heard their, "White Winter Hymnal" on Fordham University's radio station, WFUV, about a month ago and was hooked ever since. My favorite is, "Your Protector," but the whole CD rox.

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