2008-01-29
Pull together classical music, Paul Simon’s Graceland, sound clips from a Nintendo game, a weathered drum set, and a dictionary, and you have Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut. Vampire Weekend’s music is full of variation, playfulness, and intelligence. Do I know what their lyrics mean half the time? No. Does it matter? Not at all. Just try to count the instruments used on the CD without looking at the liner notes. Try to keep the choruses from running through your head. The four former Columbia University students have generated an early buzz by opening for the Shins and Animal Collective. Don’t be surprised if they sell out a tour of their own. I’m already making plans to see them in Ann Arbor in February. —MLG
Space Vs. Time
The Old and New Avant-Garde
THE FRESH & ONLYS
House of Spirits
THE SUFIS
The Sufis
Jonathan Richmond
Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild
THE HIDERS
Valentine
Citizen Cope
The Clarence Greenwood Recordings
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.