Tommy C – Music Snob

Now, when indie bands try to import traditional African sounds and beats (I’m keeping the term continental as it’s not my area of musical expertise), and the music press start getting all excited I can’t help thinking that a trace of colonial guilt is being expressed. In place of decent musical critique you get uncomfortable righteous fawing. It’s not normal guitar band territory but 1.2 million listens on myspace for one song – either they’re bloody good or that’s a lot of guilt.

Press reaction aside, my problem is usually with bands or artists taking on this musical challenge. Its not that I don’t think that bands might be genuinely trying to create great music from a new influence in their lives, it’s more the fear that they’re not good enough to do so. What you’ll get is the bastard child of UB40 and Paul Simon.  Or even worse, Sting. Rather than fusing the sound into something genuinely innovative, they’ll effectively create the musical equivalent of a kid copying all dad’s moves. Nice try son…

So I’ve approached Vampire Weekend with some trepidation after hearing Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHl9qRsMzw). Recommended by Beth, Mick and my cousin Brenda out in California, and championed by NME they certainly qualify for Hypewatch attention.

We are all guilty (well, except me) of reacting to the boredom of everyday life by doing the complete polar opposite. NME have this lot as the band to go for if you fancy a break from crazed neon kids or mascara-heavy EMO bands

In Vampire Weekend you are taken on a journey into the world of preppy American under-grads, whose eyes and ears have just been introduced to a new musical world. The result: stories about preppy life set to an orgy of instruments with classical, rock and african continental heritage.

NME see this as something to make us feel very humble. On ‘Oxford Comma’:

“The prim choirboy harmonies – amplified by school-hall echo but without a hint of macho distortion – conceal an irresistible geek-pop tune played out over a delectable starched-collar groove. And have you ever before heard a lyric that elegantly rebukes grammar snobs and gives you a lesson in Tibetan geography before ultimately deferring to the wisdom of crunk rapper Lil Jon? “ 

You wouldn’t want to get stuck with these guys at a party.

It simply suggests the boys are confused. All very well showing off your sweeping knowledge but there’s a difference between cherry picking references and casually dropping them in conversation, and hoovering them up and spouting them at every opportunity to make you appear intelligent.  

The confusion reigns through the music as well as the lyrics (Walcott being an example). Classical strings with african drums? Perhaps the bands name sums up the confusion – I was expecting something a little darker…

But actually, it is a promising debut. Musically, I have to single out A-Punk as the one song that gets things spot on – mixing influences strikingly well yet creating the essence of more recent New York sounds with its tight baselines, stand out lead guitar and masked vocals and in a stroke (pun intended) creating a great indie pop song.

And, despite all the above the album does grow on you after a while, but it’s taking me far too long to figure out. I currently have the musical patience of a hutch-bred boy rabbit being introduced to a field full of lady rabbits. So please, take your time, see what you think:

http://www.vampireweekend.com/music.php

Verdict: Have the ability but need to focus

Recommended for: Russ S, Carina, Laura S, Sarah T, Anna Sis, Nick

Steer clear: Justin, Danie, Caroline