A fresh and new band from the United States, Vampire Weekend represent an innovative formula in today's musical panorama, capable of offering captivating suggestions and contrasting sound mixes, as if it were a dish in which rustic and sweet harmonize with the better.
Released on January 10, 2010 Contra is the second album by this group which, formed in 2006 in New York during their university years, took its name from an amateur film shot by singer Ezra Koenig. The record begins with Horchata, with a simple and sweet motif, like a kind of nursery rhyme for children; but not even the time to absorb the melody that a rhythmic system of tribal inspiration imposes on the performance of the piece to rise, to become larger and more powerful: immediately one imagines dance scenes of the peoples of Africa in front of us. Both trends, guided by the crystalline voice of the singer, intertwine together to involve the listener, composing a colorful fresco in the fairy-tale hues of a pure and childlike reality.
Continuing you listen Taxi Cab: the incipit recalls the reflective atmospheres of a certain Beck, accompanied by a constant rhythmic essentiality (pressing box in four, large and powerful). To contrast with the voice, darker and calmer, and with the case, rubbery and constant, there is a piano that offers a simple melody, similar to the music box. The melodic construct is enriched with sounds that evoke the harpsichord and a kind of “imperial” trend. The song continues sweet, caressing, but a bit useless, without inspiration.
With California English seems to look at a kind of Jamaica: you hear, in the voice, Bob Marley; one perceives, in the omnipresent rhythmic carpet, the obsessive black system, essential and pressing, which recalls the tradition of Africa. The melody is simple and the sound sources abundant, but the piece is not memorable.
The opening of the piece Cousins, in the sounds of the guitar, as for mathematics and essential obsession, remember Robert Fripp; the rest proposes a bass that is halfway between the tarantella and Cuore Matto. The piece is undoubtedly pressing and rich but not at all original or interesting. The drummer certainly earns his salary.The beginning of the eighth song is captivating, Giving Up The Gun, even if it reminds us a little of the pop that dominates the major stations of current video music. The intentions are good but the result is a kind of carillon (which evidently exerts a certain fascination on the members of the group - a matter of reflection for the psychotherapists concerned) monotonous and "yawning". The use of sounds, of effects, is out of all proportion and masks the dryness of ideas: the instrument becomes purpose.
With Diplomat's Son we are on the home straight and, almost, one would say "finally". The record degrades towards a certain agony: there is the reference to reggae, to the black rhythm, but it is as if a very modern sense of uselessness triumphs, of decadence. The electronics have great relevance: there is something that is dub, drum and bass and there is a vocal melody line that suggests cannabis. Nice, "but also no".
The final seal of the disc, I Think Ur A Contra, has an inspired and poetic beginning, almost a personal confession. The voice often reminds oneself similar to oneself Sigur Ros; the rhythmic system is essential and constant, as a simulation of heavy steps taken to approach a revelation: the string section, lyrical and soothing, seems to close a discourse, like the peace of the evening, the dying of the day. The digital sounds are long and warm acoustic instruments lie on them: a great mixture. The conclusion is sudden.
Finally, i Vampire Weekend with Contrary to they remind us how complicated it is to create and deliver a disc; no doubt there are some interesting ideas but… it's a little bit.
Vote: 5e1 / 2.
THE PROPERTY
Contrary to
Vampire Weekend
Heather: Independent
1. horchata - 3:28
2. White Sky (2:59)
3. Vacation (2:18)
4. California English (2:29)
5. Taxi Cab (3:55)
6. Runs (3:52)
7. Cousins (2:25)
8. Giving Up The Gun (4:46)
9. Diplomat's Son (5:59)
10. I Think Ur A Contra (4:27)
Happy listening everyone!
Vincenzo Abet
