01: Fleet Foxes – Ragged Wood/ Sun Giant EP
Sub Pop
Last March, I went to see Blitzen Trapper headline the Bowery Ballroom with up and coming label-mates Fleet Foxes opening. While I’d listened to both FF’s debut and the Sun Giant EP in the background a few times, and thought it was pleasant, I had no idea that I was about to be thoroughly convinced that this band was not only good, but special. Why such a strong reaction? Robin Pecknold started to sing, which stole my attention in a most pleasant and captivating way. Then, the rest of the band came in with perfect harmonies on top of the tasteful, warm and sparse instrumentation that flesh out their repertoire. I never heard them coming, but I could hear a pin drop in the completely packed Bowery while they finished their set. I felt bad for Blitzen Trapper, who were upstaged before they even had a chance to play. Sometimes a singer, or a group of singers, produces a sound that cuts across tastes, biases, and any of the other artificial barriers we erect to help classify, judge, and ideally appreciate music. It’s a sound that’s human and rich and universal; that’s what this band has going for them. I don’t know what their next step will or ought to be, but as long as they can keep playing to their many strengths, I believe Fleet Foxes capable of putting out records better than these sturdy, confident first steps.

Labels: 2008 Recap, Album Review, Fleet Foxes