Veckatimest

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.
Veckatimest (2010-02-17) : 4/5
Veckatimest is by far Grizzly Bears most exciting release to date. It seems as though the group keeps getting better and better and releasing better quality albums with each output. br /br /While not really doing anything 'new' here, they have managed to basically perfect what they tried to create on Yellow House, here on Vecketimest. You can never know just exactly what to expect from each passing track as the group often goes in a totally different direction than one might assume. Which is to say the very least, abnormaly refreshing. br /br /'Two Weeks' 'Time For Now' and 'Cheerleader' are so flawless it almost hurts. 'Ready, Able' still leaves me confused upon every listen, which is not a bad thing, it's something I rather enjoy personally. br /br /With the quality increasing with each passing album one can only count the days till Grizzly Bears next release.
"Would you always, maybe sometimes take it easy?" (2010-02-14) : 4/5
As much as any artist I can think of, Grizzly Bear is a band that lives off moments. There are songs on this album that are brilliant all the way through, such as the piano driven and utterly infectious "Two Weeks". But a number of songs, especially around the middle of the track list, could easily be justified as at least a little bit boring. Nothing wrong with them musically, they just aren't particularly interesting for the most part. They're nearly all saved though by at least a couple passages, even if they only last a few seconds, that remind you how good this band can be at its best. In a perfect world, a band wouldn't have to remind you how good it is, it would just be apparent the whole time you're listening. And I'm sort of exaggerating the degree to which these "boring" tracks are uninteresting. They're all entirely pleasant to the ear, it's just that they don't stand up to "Southern Point" or "While You Wait for the Others". The album both begins and ends pretty brilliantly, and it's enough along with those moments throughout that middle to say I do like this album quite a bit. I think their previous release Yellow House was probably more consistently good throughout, those the highs of Veckatimest are every bit as lofty. Grizzly Bear would be hard pressed to work their way in as one of my favorite bands, but their early career so far is pretty darn promising.
AMAZING (2010-02-11) : 5/5
This album is incredible. I've been addicted to it ever since it came out. This isn't just one of those albums you buy b/c there's a good single or two. This is a beautiful record, start to finish. It covers all sorts of sounds and moods... The music is really unique. I know a lot of people who have different taste in music than I do, and they love it as much as I do. Even my boyfriend, who is more of a classic rock guy, went out and bought Veckatimest on vinyl. He agrees that the music is like nothing else out there right now.
Maybe with time?... (2010-02-02) : 3/5
Ok, admittedly not a music or art critic in any way, I would like to voice my opinion of this album. eh...br /I bought Yellow House out of a suggestion from a friend. This turned out to be a very good idea and I have been hooked since. br /I swooned and drooled over their performance of "Two Weeks" on Letterman a year or so back, which now seems like forever. I eventually forgot that an album was coming and survived off of a ripped live version of the track that then circulated many a playlist/ burned cd from then on. br /Well here we are now with Veckatimest.I must say I am pretty unimpressed. The songs are atmospheric and many of them are very listenable deep tracks, with progressions, changes in pace, different movements. This stuff is deep and layered. The sounds drift and fade, then crash and climax, and venture off again in many directions. br /The songs themselves are generally good and, given the right mood, enjoyable. My problem with this album is the album itself, as a whole. It just doesn't ever seem to fit together to me. In a sea of moodiness and recluse, the pop-oriented, upbeat "two weeks" seems out of place, forced sort of. The rest of the songs also never seem to give way to the next or nod at the last, which isn't necessarily a requirement but does make a difference in a coherent album. br /The songs have a way of fading into the background leaving you to your thoughts while it ventures off into some deep cerebral meanderings, only to suddenly become engaging with rock and pop sensiblities and you're left confused. Is this supposed to be beautiful, ambient, background music suitable for conversations and company? At times it seems like it, then, without warning, it becomes a work that demands your full attention. In my opinion this was a very distracting feeling. br /The songs individually work, and I will continue to listen to them, I'm sure, hence the three stars. I don't think, however that I can heft it upon my (huge)list of favorites because of the fact that the work doesn't seem to be a cohesive thing, instead many other things thrown together. br /Again, this is my opinion and I sincerely hope it helps someone. Shipping was amazing, had the product within a few days in great condition. br /-Stephen