Veckatimest

Great album (2010-08-07) : 5/5
Got this as a gift for my friend's birthday, he LOVED it. Arrived on time too. Fantastic purchase
Excellent and relaxing (2010-07-25) : 5/5
I enjoy such a large variety of music that I was shocked when my partner found this cd to be strange, and my son found it depressing. I think it is really great and the music is a good fusion of alternative rock and great harmonies, that I had to get it. I was a little late hearing about this band, because I sometimes get stuck in some of the older stuff, but I must admit this one is a keeper. The guys did well on this one.
Deep in the dark woods of New York, hides a Grizzly Bear (2010-07-25) : 5/5
4.5br /br /First off, if you're buying any of Grizzly Bear's music for the amazing Baroque that is "Two Weeks" Don't! Listen to the samples here at Amazon, I-Tunes, or Youtube first. Because while all of the songs on Veckatimest are of high Quality, they are of a different style. Mellow, folky, and Woodsy (You know like a Grizzly Bear) all a great contrast to the upbeat single that everyone has come to love. But saying that I thought Veckatimest was a fantastic grower album. br /br /At first I'll admit I was a tad underwhelmed by Veckatimest with only three tracks Standing out: Two Weeks, Ready Able, and While you wait for others. But like a similar experience I had with Bon Iver's "For Emma,Forever Ago"(Which you should get) I found all of the songs here to have a long lasting staying power. They are haunting, melodic, and emotionally potent. All of the vocals have an otherworldly air about them. Daniel Rossen's voice Folky and fits these songs perfectly, while Edward Droste sings with such passion and earnesty that I really wish he was present more often here. br /br /Although there are some tracks here that still don't excite me that much(Dory) The Strong tracks more then make up for it, I just took a 4 hour trip on the Natchez trace in Mississippi and I listened to this the whole way. For it matched the Rustic Landscape perfectly. So If you're into bands like Fleet Foxes or Bon Iver, you should definitly add Grizzly Bear to your Collection. br /br /Top Track: Ready Able.
beautifully chill (2010-03-26) : 3/5
from myBlog [...]br /...When I first played this album, only two tracks grabbed me. Those two tracks still remain the standouts on this album, but I grew to love the laid back vibe and beautiful harmonies and melodies this group has put together on their third album which was released last summer. The albums first single (and now featured in a Volkswagen commercial) "Two Weeks" is a light, upbeat and a great showcase for all 4 band members talents. "Ready, Able" is a slower, moodier song that blends perfectly with the vibe of the album -- which is very moody, but also very relaxing and also very Earthy (I suppose this is what you might call Contemporary Folk music). Those two benefit from very strong hooks and melodies, but the entire album with their very textured harmonies is a great listen, a great example of a band that blend together perfectly.
Sincerely Special. (2010-03-04) : 5/5
I can recall the first place I heard Grizzly Bear was in my local CVS. Just browsing, I heard their song "two weeks" and was jerked out of my headspace, said to my husband, "That song is amazing". Thought, too bad I can't find out who they are. Like a week later, heard the song in a car commercial, and was so excited that I had a way to identify it. Since identifying the band, I have repetitively listened to their free streaming songs. I have read some negative reviews that claim the music and anyone who gets it are music snobs. Maybe some are; maybe some are just music educated. I readily admit that I have a bachelor's degree in music, but as I have said I'm not a snob. You can take my word on this, because most classical musicians sneer at the very idea that rock music might hold a candle to classical. I think they are just apples and oranges. The thought behind classical pretension is that popular music isn't as complex and therefore not as good. I think that bands like Grizzly Bear are so appreciated, because it is that rare beast (pun intended). It is a band that deserves it's raves because it's songs show a real talent for song construction; a true understanding of melody, harmony, rythym, dynamics, phrasing, lyrics etc. I am truly transported, because their craftsmanship takes me to an elevated place. I can't even believe pretension even enters the discussion when we are constantly bombarded by an industry that almost has nothing to do with musicianship anymore. I'd really hate to see such a talented group of actual musicians' rating go down because of the same kind of elitism and reactionary hatred of elitism that exists in the classical music world. I, for one, believe that good music is good music, and Grizzly Bear, most definitely...is.