VAMPIRE WEEKEND’s new jams are more like COUSINS of their debut

you were born with ten fingers and you’re gonna use them all

Ok, so Contra has been out for a bit now and you have either heard it and formed your own opinion or you haven’t. I have been spinning quite a bit and trying to reconcile my own feelings towards it. The truth is that besides the aggressively hater-baiting opening track, “Horchata,” it is a pretty good album. It’s just not great. If you loved Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut then you will like Contra. If you were never on board with VW then this isn’t their crossover album. I certainly enjoy bouncing along to the good ol’ Vampy vibe but nothing on Contra jumps out and screams “Im awesome!” if this were an EP released within a year of the debut just to tie us over I would be stoked. I guess I somehow expected more. Anyway, enough of my ramblings. It’s a good album, go get it if you haven’t. And then listen to “Giving Up The Gun” and tell me it isn’t the best thinly veiled firearm-as-phallus jam since Art Brut’s “Rusted Guns Of Milan.” Oh, and another thing, were Ezra’s vocals this eyebrow-raising on the first album? Or am I just being harsh cause he kicked my ass at ping pong when I ran into them in Berlin? At least I can grow a beard…

Bury your face in MySpace /// eMusic too

Tagged as: vampire weekend

January 22, 2010

{ View Comments }

{ 4 comments }

1 robhali January 22, 2010 at 5:48 pm: Although I love most of your album recommendations I have to disagree with your assessment of VW's latest. I can't stop listening to this album. This disc and fun.'s album have been burning up my ipod. None of the songs are very deeply written or have crazy complex meanings. But musically it is wonderfully put together and a joy to listen to.

I am hoping to bridge the gap with some of my friends that were not VM fans. I feel this album is a bit more accessible then the last one.

love the site, keep it up!
2 Brandon @ TBE January 22, 2010 at 6:10 pm: More accessible? Hmmm. Well, I wasn't that into fun. the first couple go rounds so Contra may end up growing up me. Right now it's just a couple notches below their debut, although by no means bad. I would be curious to know if you can turn anyone with Contra. It is funny that I keep listening to it, although more out of a sense of curiousity than my usual insatiable aural desire. Weird.
3 enanoear January 23, 2010 at 5:33 am: “Oh, and another thing, were Ezra’s vocals this eyebrow-raising on the first album? Or am I just being harsh cause he kicked my ass at ping pong when I ran into them in Berlin? At least I can grow a beard…”

I think you're being harsh. Ezra I'm sure plays table tennis, and you, dear reviewer play ping pong. With or without a beard.
4 Brandon @ TBE January 25, 2010 at 11:45 am: Touche! Although I have to imagine the guy can take a joke. Not that he will ever read my feeble attempt at one :)