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Question about Vampire Weekend

Posted on 11/10/19 at 10:36 am
Posted by VOR
Member since Apr 2009
63489 posts
Posted on 11/10/19 at 10:36 am
I’ve seen portions of their set on Austin City Limits and during coverage of a couple of festivals. And my question is WTF? What is their jam? Are they some sort of jam band from the world of Dr Seuss? Really, a lot of disjointed rambling with that dude singing in a child’s voice. I mean is it just over my head?
Are they too hip for me to appreciate?
I will admit that I tend to appreciate well-written songs enhanced by solid musicianship. Quirky and cute just for its own sake doesn’t do it.

Posted by Vandyrone
Nashville, TN
Member since Dec 2012
6960 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 7:19 am to
quote:

I mean is it just over my head?
Are they too hip for me to appreciate?


Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
4640 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 9:32 am to
They've just recently become a "jam band" after moving out to California and becoming fans of the Dead/Phish and such. Prior to that, they wrote fairly tight polyethnic ivy league pop rock.

And yes.. the lyrics have meaning. Ezra is smart as hell and puts a LOT of thought into what is written. Here's a decent article on their last album that covers some of the themes, if you're so inclined:

Stereogum
This post was edited on 11/11/19 at 9:34 am
Posted by Htowntiger90
Houston
Member since Dec 2018
939 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 9:44 am to
They're Ivy League guys from Columbia. The lyrics are pretty accessible but they hop around quick sometimes and make you listen. I think lots of indie bands tend to ramble live when they're in front of their peeps.
This post was edited on 11/11/19 at 9:59 am
Posted by iwyLSUiwy
I'm your huckleberry
Member since Apr 2008
34267 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 9:44 am to
I liked their first few albums, but i've never seen them live. I can easily see them being like Modest Mouse live. The voice sounds great in the studio but live it is garbage. I could barely understand a word the Modest Mouse guy was saying the entire concert, and I knew half of the songs.
Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
4640 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 9:48 am to
quote:

liked their first few albums, but i've never seen them live. I can easily see them being like Modest Mouse live. The voice sounds great in the studio but live it is garbage. I could barely understand a word the Modest Mouse guy was saying the entire concert, and I knew half of the songs.



I saw them on the Modern Vampires of the City tour. They were actually REALLY good... surprisingly good... to the point that I'm pretty sure a lot of the music/vocals were pre-recorded and being triggered by Rostam during the show. Now that Rostam isn't in the band, they seem to have gotten more jammy and improvisational.
Posted by SUB
Member since Jan 2001
Member since Jan 2009
20818 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 2:09 pm to
Their first album is a modern day Graceland IMO.

I've seen them a few times live and enjoyed each one. Don't know what to tell ya...they are just not for you I guess?
Posted by rutiger
purgatory
Member since Jun 2007
21118 posts
Posted on 11/11/19 at 3:07 pm to
They are great live.

I love the underlying afrobeat vibes of the first 2 albums.
Posted by VOR
Member since Apr 2009
63489 posts
Posted on 11/14/19 at 4:44 pm to
I'll give them a further listen.

I'm sure they and their management will be ecstatic.
Posted by FleetFox504
Member since Nov 2013
370 posts
Posted on 11/14/19 at 10:25 pm to
Not a huge fan of the band but I do like some of their seminal influences. Listen to Malcom McLaren “Duck Rock” album. You’ll see where the VW sound comes from imo. Album is pretty crazy, in a good way, for the era it was released. Just think about the radio sound at that time.
Posted by whoisnickdoobs
Lafayette
Member since Apr 2012
9352 posts
Posted on 11/15/19 at 4:27 pm to
Theres audio commentary for their last album available on Spotify that explains their lyrics if you really want to know specifics.
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