We all have to lose ourselves in music at some point in the day. We listen to music when we study, write papers or when boredom hits. It’s the perfect form of escape. I believe no other musical group since I began college has provided a better means for that escape than the New York City pop/rock/reggae/techno/dance and downright boogie experience that is Vampire Weekend.
On Contra, Vampire Weekend retains the lively and eccentric sound of their debut, and have created ten songs full of complex string arrangements, thumping dance beats, guitars and synthesizers.
Contra reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 last week – a first for Vampire Weekend – and it is currently streaming on their Web site free of charge.
The opening track on Contra, “Horchata,” begins innocently enough with xylophone chimes and lead singer Ezra Koenig’s angelic voice singing about enjoying the warm winter beverage horchata in December. Then the song morphs into a bass-heavy dance track with epic choir “ooh aahs” in the background. “White Sky” and “Holiday” are two fun songs recall the sound and feeling of the first album. The band has not lost its quirky lyrical touch either. Filled with string arrangements and auto-tune, “California English” is the most creative song on the album. Some of the hilarity in Vampire Weekend’s lyrics goes unnoticed because of the moving vocal delivery. I found myself laughing and, at the same time, admiring such lyrics about vegan toothpaste as, “Cause if that Tom’s don’t work / If it just makes you worse / Would you lose all of your faith in the good earth?”
The album’s first single, “Cousins,” is a carnival madhouse of a song that feels like a sonic hurricane. Drummer Chris Thomson must have developed godly forearm definition from the drum parts in this song. It’s a fun, fast-paced song that carries the same attitude as “A-Punk,” the first single from their debut. The just-as-crazy music video can be found on YouTube.
The chorus of “Run” features no lyrics, but the epic pounding of the hi-hat along with the trumpet-sounding synth notes go perfect together. “Diplomat’s Son” is an all-over-the-place song that begins with a sample from rapper M.I.A. and ends up feeling like Vampire Weekend’s attempt at reggae.
“Taxi Cab” and “Giving Up the Gun” are the two tracks that failed to completely grab me. The first is just a little too long and melancholy for my taste, and the latter sounds like the band had a Kings of Leon arena-blaster moment.
The album closes with “I Think Ur a Contra”, a quiet song about a breakup. The surprisingly heartfelt lyrics in the song make me feel like this could have been Vampire Weekend’s chance at a screamin’ ’60s soul ballad. Maybe on the next album. Remix perhaps?
Only available through an iTunes pre-order of Contra, “California English, Pt. II” is another song worth checking out that features auto-tune and a trippy church congregation-sounding vocal loop.
Vampire Weekend definitely bring the joyous spirit displayed in their albums into their live shows. Their North American tour begins in March.
Since every band’s sophomore album must inevitably be compared to its first, I have to say that while Contra is a wonderful record and an incredible step forward for Vampire Weekend, it just does not quite top the first.
They haven’t lost that free-spirited feeling and attitude by any means, but Contra is the sound of Vampire Weekend growing up and what a sweet, sweet sound it is.