Modern Vampires Of The City (album) by Vampire Weekend

From NoAlarms 05/26/2020 03:33

The halls of Columbia University birthed Vampire Weekend, a baroque pop outfit with a pension for utilizing world music. They were critically lauded soon after, but in the eyes of those who equate surroundings to people, they were little more than privileged rich boys who gained the favor of those with power in the industry. The band shrugged such ridiculous claims off and just kept on keeping on. In other words, they kept making some of the best pop music of the decade. Nevermore was their genius more validated than with 2013's Modern Vampires of the City. Sporting a crystalline sheen and drastically more sinister tone, Vampire Weekend concocted its best collection of tracks to date.

Seemingly alternating between uptempo, positively-charged romps and sentimental, breezy ballads, Modern Vampires of the City prioritizes balance far more than the band's prior work. The first landmark comes in the form of third track Step, which twinkles triumphantly leaving Rostam Batmanglij's production as the hallmark of the sweepingly gorgeous cut. The album soon receives an adrenaline shot in the form of Diane Young, a full-gear stomper which emphasizes a desire to live life at its fullest, with no regrets about being rebellious or young for that matter. One of the album's most audacious excursions comes in the form of tenth track Ya Hey. Frontman Ezra Koenig's vocal delivery is in stark contrast to the rest of the album, invoking religious fervor at a subdued pace.

As convention would have it, Modern Vampires of the City is indeed a pop record. It's one that takes risks, nudges away stereotypical classification and entrenches Vampire Weekend as a prominent force in modern music. Provocatively written, skillful executed and exquisitely produced, the album is a testament to the blossoming creativity of a young group on the rise, with much success predicted to follow. The album has a warm quality and has effectively become a comfort piece for me, calling back to better times. It's a record for those with youthful flesh and minds with temperaments far beyond their years.

"Ancestors told me that their girl was better
She's richer than Croesus, she's tougher than leather
I just ignored all the tales of a past life
Stale conversation deserves but a bread knife"

-Step

Standout Tracks:

1. Step
2. Finger Back
3. Don't Lie

99.6

Favorite Tracks: Unbelievers, Hanna Hunt, Everlasting Arms

It's just not for me I guess, the songwriting is weird and I don't care for the vocalist. Good production though.

From NoAlarms 03/31/2020 07:52

Not only one of the top 3 records of the decade, one of my absolute favorite albums of all time...Masterwork!

One of the best albums of the decade!

Overall: 9.5

Top Tracks: "Step", "Hannah Hunt", "Don't Lie"

Lyrically dense and catchy as hell. Probably their best album, even though it includes some of their worst songs ("Hudson", "Young Lion", and "Worship You" are all contenders).

Good album.

Favorite tracks: Unbelievers, Step

B+

From Montpejo 02/25/2019 02:21

Standouts: Diane Young, Hannah Hunt

Least Favorites: Young Lion, Obvious Bicycle, Finger Back

Modern Vampires is the third album on the line of Vamipres Weekend's evolution. It is an inprovement on everything they had done to that date. The opening and closing tracks tie together to call the beginning and end from an story.
Modern Vampires is their most impressive album in all terms, but still is not that far ahead their previous efforts. I think Vampire Weekend still has something to bring us in 2019, I hope they really release their album, It is my most antecipated release, I've been waiting for It since 2016 and year after year they delay it. From the line that we are getting from them, their next one will be even better, I Hope.

At first listen this just sounds like FIFA music and that is what I thought it was until I looked into the lyrics. They're incredibly dense and complex. It is impressive how well they make catchy music while also saying so much. However, none of the songs really stick out to me. I like all of them but I can't say I love any of them. It just doesn't grab me like some other albums do.