Chat Review - Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
By You Can't Hear it on the Radio
May 11, 2011
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Steve: I'll admit, when it comes to the new Fleet Foxes album, I feel like I took more notice of its upcoming release, rather than really anticipating it.
I liked their debut album and accompanying EP well enough, don't get me wrong. But I like rock and roll, and the Fleet Foxes are not folk-influenced rock and roll, they are a folk band.
Noah, what were your expectations coming in around the new FF album?
Noah: I didn't expect much other than more of the same. Beautiful harmonies, folk guitars and epic songwriting. I think "they are a folk band" is an understatement. It's important to remember what the Fleet Foxes ARE, and set appropriate expectations. I was hoping for more of the same, but that they'd show obvious growth. I was not disappointed.
Steve: It's a strong effort, really inventive and pretty, and the musicianship has really developed in the three years since their debut. I love their harmonies but I could listen to Helplessness Blues as an instrumental album and be just fine, that's how much I like their playing.
Noah: I was really struck by that too. I really noticed the almost effortless musicianship. A record like this (or their first full length) could EASILY sound fussy and pretentious. Somehow they manage to walk the razor's edge and make it sound like it's no big deal.
Steve: Effortless is a great way to describe it.
Noah: Which is really an accomplishment considering how dense this album is. There is a LOT going on.
Steve: I was reading about all the new instruments on this album, and it's an impressive list: 12-string guitar, the hammered dulcimer, zither, upright bass, wood flute, tympani, Moog synthesizer, the tamboura, the fiddle, the marxophone, clarinet, the music box, pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, Tibetan singing bowls, vibraphone, along with more traditional band instrumentation.
I mean, Jesus.
Noah: That list alone may make this album qualify as prog-rock. The Decemberists would be proud.
But speaking of prog-rock, as I listened, I couldn't help but marvel at the number of songs that had second or third acts. The New Pornographers have songs like these...hooks within hooks.
Steve: That's a good point. I've been listening to the NPR stream at this point, so I don't even really know where some songs end and others begin. In addition to sounding effortless and organic, it's a very cohesive set of songs that flow nicely.
Noah: Almost too much so. On my first couple of listens I was concerned about the fact that the songs blended together, but as I listened further I realized that Helplessness Blues is an onion...just keep peeling back the layers.
Steve: So going back to my opening comment, reaching a little bit not to sound so effusive - it's hard to place a band that plays chamber music and channels David Crosby so much of the time into my "all time favorites". But I'll happily acknowledge that the Fleet Foxes are the best at what they do, and they've created an enduring masterpiece of contemplative, gorgeous music that I can play for guests without worrying they will find it too noisy.
Noah: So does this mean you like it?
Steve: I love it.
Noah: As do I.
It's a fantastic album. My only wish is that they'd explored the quiet side a little more. Songs like "Blue Spotted Tail" are riveting and make you want more.
But I also wish they'd rock out a little more. I want them to play in the margins a little on their next album. Ride both ends of the spectrum. That's not a complaint, by the way - I'm just anticipating where they might go next.
Steve: I think I will end up revisiting this album more often than their debut (which I also liked). There seems to be a lot going on lyrically, and I look forward to exploring Robin Pecknold's words once I can get my hands on the lyrics sheet. I appreciate when a songwriter surprises me with what they have to say, and I feel that's what's going on with Helplessness Blues.
Noah: I agree. From the moment the album begins, as Pecknold talks about the selflessness of parenthood and questions his ability to set himself aside, I couldn't help but be impressed with how assured he is as a songwriter.
Also, let’s not lose Robin Pecknold’s voice in our earlier praise of the musicianship. They did the right thing by featuring his voice a little bit more than on their self-titled debut full-length. Pecknold’s voice is incredibly dynamic and full of personality.
I do think their debut is more immediately catchy and listenable, but while it's early, I'm fairly certain Helplessness Blues is a more impressive work. And I LOVED their first album.
Steve: It took them a while to pull this album together, and it wasn't without some false starts from what I've read, but hearing the finished product proves they are working at the top of their craft at present. I've put them on my "see this band live immediately" list as well. In the final analysis, I rate Helplessness Blues as Really Good.
Noah: If you aren't reading the highly entertaining Fleet Foxes Twitter feed, it's Pecknold at his most neurotically entertaining - great random thoughts about the album as it was recorded.
Helplessness Blues is an album that I suspect will add additional texture and further depth after seeing them play live – as I will in July. Honestly, I'm a little surprised you aren't going with a Great for this album, I sure am.
Steve: Well, Really Good is still a really good score, and I might end up revising at the end of the year. I think the thing that keeps it from being a Great album for me is simply due to the reservations I raised at the outset. I don't want Fleet Foxes to be something they aren't, not at all. But there is probably a ceiling on my appreciation of their music being that it's more straight up folk.
Noah: That's all fair. But I bet you'll come around in the end.
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