Pitchfork Review...Get Ready for some hate

[TFowl]

Oh also, heh from one of the websites I frequent a lot..  great forum base.  dude had this to say in a fleet foxes thread I just read... funny.

I'm usually not a fan of when people get all personal in NMD so I'm about to be a huge hypocrite but here goes:
FUCK the Fleet Foxes.
I know two of the guys personally and I'll be damned if Robin Pecknold (the lead singer/main songwriter) isn't one of the biggest dicks I have ever met. Literally everything about him is a contrivance - from the way he stopped shaving/showering to the back-to-nature aesthetic present in his lyrics - it's all a deliberate attempt to create an 'interesting persona.' There is absolutely nothing honest about the way he writes music, and he thinks waaaaaay too highly of himself for someone so young, talented as he is. He doesn't want to be part of the new Seattle music scene, nor does he want to be part of the new folk scene that shares a lot of musical influences and signifiers because he wants to be a scene unto himself. And that shit pisses me off.

And that inauthenticity totally ruins the music for me. At the end of the NMD authenticity debate a couple of weeks ago, I sort of came out on the side that authenticity didn't matter as much as I thought it did. But what if you know for a fact that music is calculated and deliberate and totally fake? Because it ruins it for me, and all I feel when I listen to Fleet Foxes a lot of the time is anger, when I should be feeling joy at their pretty melodies and harmonies.

Even without all of that backstory, though - it really bothers me that the band decided to use the exact same kind of reverb on their vocals as My Morning Jacket does - granted I love reverb as an effect, but there is such a spectrum to choose from and experiment with and they went with the Jim James preset. And that just sort of goes to show that there really isn't anything original or exciting about the music they're making. They know their way around a melody, to be sure, and they know how to use their voices to great effect, but aside from that what can you get from Fleet Foxes that you can't get somewhere else? Also, there are five totally forgettable tracks on the full-length and there is no reason why they couldn't have ust not released the EP and replaced the weaker tracks on the album with the EP tracks to make something much stronger, but they wanted more hype.

ugh, sorry about that

This is on a paid forum too where you can potentially get banned for coming into a thread and saying stuff like that, shows how much he wanted to say it.

[TFowl]

I'm done after this but some more people had comments too about this band:

Sad to hear a negative story about the singer/band as I'm completely digging the album. Blue Ridge Mountains is an exceptional track and the album flows very, very well. I've been listening to this, the new Shearwater and the 6-months in advance leaked Deerhunter record and it holds its own. Although I have to say, Deerhunter's Microcastle is without a doubt the record of the year.


Also, the MMJ comparisons are accurate.

Just as an expression of solidarity here, I have never met any of these guys in person but I got the exact same vibe from their record. I definitely catch a strong feeling of 'musical tourism', a lot of it feels far more calculated than I believe this kind of music should.

I discovered these guys and Jim White within the same week. It was an explosion of folky goodness in my ears.

There's definitely enough distinction between Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses and MMJ in my mind--I think a Fleet Foxes show would put me to sleep, while MMJ put on a great show (Jim James and Andrew Bird on the same stage at Bonnaroo 06 :was amazing).

Fleet Foxes serves as music for writing papers to--it's profound yet ignorable. My two favorites on the track are "White Winter Hymnal" and "Blue Ridge Mountains."

I went to the Sasquatch! Festival this year in which they played twice - once at noon to open the weekend and once because The National had difficulty getting over the Canadian border. They played pretty much the exact same set the 2nd time (not like they expected this, I'm sure). They were very chill, very peaceful, with pretty much zero energy throughout. The only song I knew by them was White Winter Hymnal, which was cool live - really, all their songs were "cool" live. All the vocals had the "I Know You Rider" feel to it.

The next day, I passed by the Seattle Sound magazine tent and they were on the cover. The other day I got a "Holy shit, you saw the Fleet Foxes live?" from a hipster-chick when she asked me about the festival. I really, really don't see what the hype is all about, but they're not bad, so I'm not confused when people like them.

[getinthevan]

it's giving Evil Urges a run for its money on my favorite album of the summer.

Copycats or not, it's a damn good album.

But is it better than At Dawn?  That is the MMJ album I think it takes from the most...

I could even pick out songs that sound like At Dawn songs.

No, its not better than At Dawn.  I just think good music is good music.  I'm not bothered by the fact that it sounds similar to one of my favorite albums ever.

[tomEisenbraun]

I'll use songs from any MMJ to make it easy.

Meadow Lark - It Smashes Down easily comes to mind, maybe even hopefully.

tiger mountain pleasant song - Bermuda highway, don't need to say much else.

he doesn't know why  - death is the easy way

blue ridge mountain - sounds like hopefully too

oliver james - sounds like one in the same or i needed it most in the sense its a low acoustic muddle of just the singer and his guitar completely, no other effects, long out winded sound with repeats several times tons of reverb.

quiet houses - lowdown, just more acoustic and less catchy.

I could go on and will if you want me to.  just ask.  

It's a little harder though because MMJ actually brings the rock more often and has much more eclectic variety throughout their albums, unlike the fleet foxes s/t.

I suppose I can hear some of that, but none of those stuck out to me. If you go in looking for comparisons, you'll find 'em. If you go in looking to enjoy new and good music, you'll get it. I think these guys are great, and I think your comparisons are for the most part a big stretch. The reverb, I'll give you that. It's very signaturely Jim's style of reverb. But it fits the music very well, no?

I've done enough fuckin arguing today.

[terrence trousers]

I really liked the one Fleet Foxes song I've listened to, and don't necessarily think their use of reverb is ripping off My Morning Jacket. They're clearly two different bands; i've heard that Fleet Foxes are really low-key and mellow live, while My Morning Jacket is obviously not so. As for what TFowl said about their inauthenticity, that's just unfortunate and certainly puts a negative spin on my impression of them. i do find it a bit useless to evaluate a band based on how "genuine" they are because (unless it's blatantly obvious or you have personal experience) how do you really know? but regardless, seems like the bands that are all about image are the ones that get the initial attention and hype, but die out as the next trend comes along. we will see about fleet foxes.

a little more pitchfork-bashing:

My Morning Jacket have refused to remain creatively static, a decision that's helped them map a clear and wonderful upward trajectory over their first decade, but does them few favors on their baffling new album

After listening to Urges, I wonder if My Morning Jacket might just be satisfied following in the footsteps of labelmates Dave Matthews Band: nestling into a comfortable niche and aiming for the Starbucks carousel with rootsy New Age romanticism.

there's a contradiction for ya.




And by the way, i'm new to these boards. hi.

[TFowl]

I've done enough fuckin arguing today.

Yeah, fuck it.

Like I said, I like them, I just see them riding a trend wave... that's all.

Watch how many more bands sound like this kind of stuff in another year if it keeps gaining popularity and acclaim.  

[laylow82]

 Pitchfork's staff are not music fans but rather a bunch of website geeks.

[mjkoehler]

Hey Terrance Trousers, good catch on the contradiction. Oh, and welcome!

[getinthevan]

Welcome Terrance Trousers!

[solace]

I like them too, I just think they are overrated... and I think it's unfair and pretty silly that they reviewed them so highly when MMJ was doing that type of sound (overall, not exactly mind you) 7-8 years ago.

Fuck Pitchfork.

while i agree, fuck Pitchfork...

i gotta say, i prefer the Fleet Foxes full length to Evil Urges. i was spinning it from the moment it leaked (3+ months prior to Pforks review fwiw). saw them back in March and they were absolutely stunning and gorgeous live. the whole "overrated" thing is a bit silly, because bands have no control over that, so to rip on a band for that is kinda pointless imo.

as for FF's influence from MMJ, sure there's a lot of similarities between Robin & Jim's voices, but go see them live, they owe way more to CSNY w/ those gorgeous 4 part harmonies than MMJ.

i'd consider Radiohead consistently one of the most overrated bands of the last 15 years, yet they're also one of my absolute favorites, so just goes to show you what little the word "overrated" truly means.

[solace]

This is on a paid forum too where you can potentially get banned for coming into a thread and saying stuff like that, shows how much he wanted to say it.

gotta say, that's total fucking bullshit. Robin is one of the nicest guys i've met honestly. what a horeshit and jaded/jealous raving rant that guy posted. the whole assumption by music listeners as to what is or isn't "authentic" or "sincere" is one of the most overused and weakest cop out excuses in music criticsm.

and for you to claim that their sound is all the sudden "trendy" is kinda hilarious. a few bands doing it, and all the sudden it's trendy? how was what MMJ was doing w/ TN Fire or At Dawn all that original honestly? At Dawn has always sounded like a long lost Neil Young & Crazy Horse record to me. (as amazing as it is, it's one of my top albums of the '00's)

we all know how bullshit Pitchfork's reviews are, so why do you even give a shit? did you honestly expect them to give it higher than a 6? i didn't (and fwiw, i'd give it a 7.8 on Pfork's scale)

[rob]

You know what, at this stage of the music game everything's pretty much been done already.....so every new band is gonna sound like something or other. Sure, Fleet Foxes have 'borrowed' from MMJ and a lot of older music, and I was bigtime skeptical of them at first but their songs totally resonate with me......for others they may not. I just really love that sound and vibe.

As far as the 4.7 from Pitchfork, I think this album takes awhile to sink in and show it's total depth......so this review is probably a one-listen reaction.

[evilPaauwe]

their review is seriously the only overall negative one i've read period.

[TFowl]

I like them too, I just think they are overrated... and I think it's unfair and pretty silly that they reviewed them so highly when MMJ was doing that type of sound (overall, not exactly mind you) 7-8 years ago.

Fuck Pitchfork.

while i agree, fuck Pitchfork...

i gotta say, i prefer the Fleet Foxes full length to Evil Urges. i was spinning it from the moment it leaked (3+ months prior to Pforks review fwiw). saw them back in March and they were absolutely stunning and gorgeous live. the whole "overrated" thing is a bit silly, because bands have no control over that, so to rip on a band for that is kinda pointless imo.

as for FF's influence from MMJ, sure there's a lot of similarities between Robin & Jim's voices, but go see them live, they owe way more to CSNY w/ those gorgeous 4 part harmonies than MMJ.

i'd consider Radiohead consistently one of the most overrated bands of the last 15 years, yet they're also one of my absolute favorites, so just goes to show you what little the word "overrated" truly means.

Maybe he is nice, fuck if I know.. I just thought it was funny.  I could see it from pictures of their band, but maybe they are pretty cool dudes.  Maybe he met him when he was wasted or something, you know how people are then....

Also, Radiohead is not even close to my favorite band, but i'd hardly say they are overrated.  They deserve their acclaim.

[TFowl]

As far as the 4.7 from Pitchfork, I think this album takes awhile to sink in and show it's total depth......so this review is probably a one-listen reaction.

That's what I think too.  Most people, including me... had a big WTF? face when they first started listening to this.  I can say though that it's great after a few listens.  Most MMJ has been this way for me though, I liked a few songs when I first heard At Dawn back in the day, but as I longed for more material I explored the record more and more and ended up liking it all.  Then I got Tennessee Fire once I realized I loved At Dawn.

[Angry Ewok]

What I don't understand is how people just can't enjoy Highly Suspicious for what it is... a fucking awesomely fun and hilarious track.

[solace]

Also, Radiohead is not even close to my favorite band, but i'd hardly say they are overrated.  They deserve their acclaim.

they deserve acclaim, yes, but when you have tons of people saying they're basically 2nd in line only to the Beatles, well then, i can't help but  ::) and  ;D and think those people are a little  :D and  :o

[travisr]

I've been anticipating this for weeks.  It's like he wrote out a great review and then cut out anything good he had to say (except the last paragraph) and cut the score in half.  Even if this wasn't Pitchfork, I can't take any review seriously if the author says, "lol".  

I dont know why, I thought that part was funny.

But yeah, fuck Pitchfork I mean, it's just a review.

[laylow82]

Also, Radiohead is not even close to my favorite band, but i'd hardly say they are overrated.  They deserve their acclaim.

they deserve acclaim, yes, but when you have tons of people saying they're basically 2nd in line only to the Beatles, well then, i can't help but  ::) and  ;D and think those people are a little  :D and  :o

well radiohead are a signficant band that will probley be regarded as one of the most important and relevant rock bands of all time.  And i think thats true but i dont think any serious music critic has put them second in line of the beatles.

[tomEisenbraun]

You know what, at this stage of the music game everything's pretty much been done already.....so every new band is gonna sound like something or other. Sure, Fleet Foxes have 'borrowed' from MMJ and a lot of older music, and I was bigtime skeptical of them at first but their songs totally resonate with me......for others they may not. I just really love that sound and vibe.

As far as the 4.7 from Pitchfork, I think this album takes awhile to sink in and show it's total depth......so this review is probably a one-listen reaction.

Right on, on both counts.

Hell, it took a really long time for Strangulation to grow on me. Their minor songs take a lot of work, because they're so damn charged. I love "Dondante" something massive, but I can't listen to it because of what it does in me to hear it. It's huge, powerful, raw, but I just can't listen to it. Like "Strangulation" I can't listen to either out of that lonely drop-dead-need-someone context.

That's hard to deal with, especially when you're supposed to take an objective view towards the art you're a critic of. Weird stuff.

"If It Smashes Down" is just weird, but it somehow made sense relatively quickly when I picked it up in January and everything was coated in snow in the Chicago suburbs in '05. The hard part about the album was that it was so long that I felt like I never really found the second half of it. It does meander in the middle, but once you find all the little nuances it makes sense.

And to whoever said it, the Fleet Foxes album is just something that resonates. Can't explain it, but it's not really something you can fake either. The liner notes speak as though from someone a whole lot older than he is. An old soul, I suppose. The music is fitting, and I can see him labeled pretentious for it--but his music is truth as to his own soul, and as it stands I can't not find Robin Pecknold legit.

And Angry, what is the deal with Highly Suspicious? Are these the same people that hated WAWM?