This Album Is Your Kid's Bedtime Story

The first thing that I will say about this album, Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes is that it is everything except for fleet. There is very little that makes this album fast paced. In fact, I found that, for myself, it actually helped me slow down, especially when life is moving so fast right now. When listening, I feel like I could fall asleep while listening, but that doesn't mean that this musical composition is boring. They remind me a little of Coldplay, in the way that they play quieter music (for the most part) that doesn't put people to sleep, but actually entertains them. Not saying that they are like Coldplay, because they aren't. I'd have to say, they're a rough mix of Beirut, a much quieter Kings Of Leon, with some Josh Ritter thrown in there. Different, huh? But I like them, nevertheless.

I like the style and tone of the music. It's kind of like they are saying to their audience, 'Okay, sit back and relax and put this on when you have company in the living room, but still listen closely, because you never know when we'll surprise you.' And that's true, no two songs sound alike, not at all!! My favorite songs are the second, fifth and sixth, 'White Winter Hymnal', 'Quiet Houses' and 'He Doesn't Know Why', respectively. I think that Whitni's favorite song is either the second or third 'Ragged Wood' (sorry Whit), but I can't be sure. The first song 'Sun It Rises' is also very excellent, which is always a good thing, and the fourth song, 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song' makes me want to go outside in a skirt, with no shoes, and hippie dance. If I had to pick a potential single, it would be track eight 'Your Protector', which is a magnificent song that could easily find its way onto college/alternative radio. All in all, Robin Pecknold and Josh Tillman work together on the vocals to create a magical kind of road trip. Thankfully, this kind requires no car or driving skills. Just a radio, and a little bit of your time.

And The Countdown Begins...

Don't you love how "tomorrow" always ends up meaning two days from now? I guess it's just one of those things...

But, to focus, the countdown has begun, and I have written up, happily, the first review. I tried to be fair, respecting the artist, because every music lover knows that making it in the world of music is something close to impossible and sticking around can be even harder, even when the music itself is great. Take Ben Gibbard's little love project that few have heard of, but many love- The Postal Service. I heard of them from a good friend (she knows who she is :), and fell in love with them, especially 'Such Great Heights', 'Sleeping In', 'Nothing Better', and 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight'. But the band only had one album and a couple LP's before they fell apart and Death Cab For Cutie rose from their ashes. Of course, I love DCFC, so I'm happy they were created. I just wish The Postal Service didn't have to fall apart for DCFC to be here.

Anywho, enough with the music induced sob story. Onto the review!

Bright Eyes: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning-
This album reminds me of a very long lullaby, thanks to the husky voice of lead singer Conor Oberst and his gentle guitar. The album begins with a short spiel, something that definitely drew me in. I found myself craning to hear what Conor had to say, and then sitting back and enjoying the music. The whole album has this folksy feel, both a good and not so good thing.
My personal favorite was the last song, "Road To Joy". Hearing Oberst scream, quote, "...fuck it up boys, make some noise!", gave me confidence that though this is folk, there's a little something below the surface. This song was raw, real, and I couldn't imagine the album being wrapped up any other way. Rai was really digging the second song, "We Are Nowhere And It's Now", a swaddled melody of thought and guitar. Oberst really dove into this one, and she felt like he was reaching across the album and singing the song just to her. Other tracks we liked had to be number five- "Train Under Water", number seven-"Another Travelin' Song", and number eight- "Land Locked Blues."
Rai and I give this album a C+, because, while folk and Bright Eyes go hand in hand, they are trying a little too hard to get that Bob Dylan/Jack Johnson sound. Folk is good, granted, but it's not all Bob Dylan. Plus, Conor's voice is truly genuine, but I don't especially like the input of Emmylou Harris. Her vocals just don't fit, in my opinion, and the album would have been a bit better had she not sung in tracks two and seven. All in all, if Bright Eyes can find their own sound, they will rock the folk world. No doubt.