Review:

on 2011-07-01 RutherfordMarsh Said:

When the Fleet Foxes released their debut back in 2008 almost everyone was excited. The quaint folk revival in indie music at the time embraced the band's refreshing, scenic atmosphere, but the album was so devoted to archaic musical qualities that it transcended any particular movement and remains a fantastic little set of songs, still listenable and fresh three years on. Fleet Foxes' follow this up with Helplessness Blues, a far more personal and far less enjoyable album.

The focus has been shifted from age-old impressionistic songwriting to heavy lamentations on mortality. "So now I'm older than my mother and father when they had their daughter, now what does that say about me?" Robin Pecknold sings on album-opener "Montezuma." It's a great line, and a good song. Later on, in "Someone You'd Admire," he sighs "After all is said and done, I feel the same. All that I hoped would change within me stayed." You get the idea. Unfortunately the album loses momentum fast. By the fourth track, "Battery Kinzie," the band seems to have nothing new to say, and instead of turning this into another excellent EP like 2008's Sun Giant, they pack the work with a surprising amount of filler. With the exception of the somewhat silly "Blue Spotted Tail," Pecknold's lyrics remain very good throughout, full of his characteristic imagery and symbols (including an odd preoccupation with apples), but his early mid-life crisis simply isn't interesting enough to sustain a 50 minute album. That being said, the title track is spectacular and may turn out to by my vote for song of the year.

The music is a little sparser than on their previous releases and they have significantly diminshed the use of sunny harmonies- a feature that remains many people's favorite aspect of the band. The melodies often aimlessly wind around without ever landing anywhere satisfying. There seems to be a lack of direction among the musicians, even if they do sound as unified as ever (what's with the warbling sax lead on "The Shrine/ An Argument"?). But, even if the record would have benefited from some cuts, there is a lot to enjoy here: this is by no means a career-ruining album, only a slight lull. I fully expect more great things from Fleet Foxes later on, and in the mean time I can live with some great songs and an okay album.
Rating: 7/10