In 2008 this quartet of Columbia grads took the indie world by storm with their unique blend of fluffy stop and go rhythms, inoffensive guitar licks, ska aspirations and pop sensibilities coupled with light hearted feelings about weekends at Cape Cod and other non life threatening conditions on their self titled debut. Sure their music wasn't more than skin deep, but self aware indie pop never hurt anyone.Contra is the band's inevitable attempt to grow up and broaden their horizons. Several influences are put to use and many musical textures and sub genres are thrown against the wall as Vampire Weekend hopes that something sticks. Believe it or not, this awkward smörgåsbord is kept in tact by the band's singular vision for melody and playful tunes.
Just because you graduate doesn't mean you stop absorbing information. Front man Ezra Koening and company went back to school and learned a thing or two from their indie accomplices such as TV on the Radio, Phoenix and Fleet Foxes. Vampire Weekend picked apart their peer's tunes to their bare bones and carefully added them to their already eclectic repertoire.
Synthesizers and marimbas, which were featured in the band's first record, get more exercise and become the basis for the groove each song is built around. While the Vampire Weekend of two years ago would slyly sneak a floating guitar riff on top of a funktastic poly rhythm, the six string is now forced to find a niche within the song as opposed to carry it on its back.
The album's opening tracks "Horchata" and "White Sky" are precisely placed at the beginning to introduce you to the band's new experiment in hi-fi. The laid back atmosphere of their previous work remains but a new sense of musical depth breathes new life into what easily could have been a stale repeat attempt to duplicate simplicity. Lush backing vocals and more pronounced drumming truly expand this band's once minute sound into something more tangible.
While Vampire Weekend break new ground, they still possess the same tools that made them a a buzz worthy band to begin with. Steady paced tunes that never outstay their welcome remain the essential ingredient for success. These Ivy Leaguers are smart and know that to bring new sheep to the fold and keep the same flock - you have to please everyone.
That's the purpose a song like "Holiday", "Taxi Cab" or "Giving Up The Gun" serves. The rhythmic groove, happy go lucky spirit, accessible melody and riffage of old is there, but everything seems to have a bit more gloss to it. The band gave their own material a face lift with brighter production and more thought out arrangements. They even try to show off their inner T-Pain as they awkwardly use auto-tune on the mis-mashed "California English".
As the music has slightly matured, so has Koening. His vocal style mimics that of Paul Simon making him come off as a young boy who desperately wants nothing more than to be a man. He may have a part time job as a rock star, but he still sends his parents letters home asking for more cookies and fresh whitey-tighteys.
And that's the appeal of a band like this. Their tunes are easy listening for the warped tour crowd as well as self aware college kids who won't admit that they are self aware (a.k.a. some kid named Jon LaFollette - wait...). While this kind of music may not provide the lyrical fortitude that some die hards search for in their favorite bands, Vampire Weekend own the blue print for ready made feel good rock.
Grade: A-
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