the 31 best of 2008 – 11: Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

Perhaps this could best be described as preppy indie-pop at its best! I’ll admit Vampire Weekendwas a complete surprise for me, because it was one of those bands that I heard one song, and was like, “hmm…”, and then listened to the record and was like, “wow!”. They instantly became a very guilty pleasure after I heard the album. It’s almost like eating too many Jelly Belly’s; you know you should stop, but they are just so damn sweet and good that you can’t! However, unlike ingesting too many Jelly Belly’s, over-listening to the amazing self-titled debut by Vampire Weekendwill not give you a stomach ache.

The first song I fell hard for was probably Oxford Comma, which highlights their playful use of melodies and lyrics that are both lighthearted, and just so much fun to listen to (although, I have to call them out for “hating” on the bears in Provincetown during the otherwise amazing track Walcott… why no love for the bears?!). The strumming guitars, the bouncy drum beats, and the great vocal styles of the lead singer really come together to make this a truly fantastic album; and the use of airy instruments amongst the pop beats, like the violin and the flute, really are a treat for the ears. When I listen to this album, I can’t help but conjure up images of the early nineties, and parties filled with the “cool kids”, with their popped collars and oh so cool Tommy Hilfiger cords and white shoes. Vampire Weekend’s northeastern roots are clear and present in the lyrics, and their debut is definitely the type of soundtrack you would hear at the preppy kids’ pool party on the last weekend of the summer.

It is practically impossible not to listen to this album and get a smile on your face, and sit there bopping your feet about. With influences like Peter Gabriel worn proudly on their sleeve, these guys have made a truly fun-filled energetic indie-pop album that doesn’t have a bad track on it. I am glad that they chose a pretty unique name in Vampire Weekend (even though they are way less Vampire, and way more Weekend); because after a reader’s suggestion (THANKS!!), it was the main reason I checked them out in the first place, and it brought me to one of my favorite acts of 2008. Even though I heard this album very early this year, its airy, upbeat, fun songs maintained their quality listen after listen, and the album firmly stayed amongst my favorites of this year. Note: yes Virginia… this is the first of the five starred records of 2008; and it only gets better from here on out!

Sparkle Factor:
Stand Outs: Oxford Comma [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_37_vampireweekend-oxfordcomma.mp3]
Mansard Roof, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Campus, The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance, Bryn.