Fleet Foxes album 'definitely' due out in 2010

Fleet Foxes have confirmed that they will "definitely" be releasing their second album in 2010.

The band are currently holed away in Seattle working on material for the follow-up to the their critically acclaimed self-titled 2008 debut.

"We're working on stuff every day," singer and guitarist Robin Peckfold told Pitchfork. "We're done touring now until we're done with the next record. So now is when we're writing and starting to record the new album."

Despite the success of their first album, Peckfold revealed that the new album had taken a different direction than the first.

"I listened to the first record again, and I was kind of nonplussed," he explained. "Some of it I was into, or I could see why we did that at that time - but some of it we would just never do again."

As for the new songs, Peckfold said he thinks they’re "less poppy" then those on the first record.

"There are definitely super-upbeat songs that are being worked on for the new record. But as a whole, it's probably a little bit less upbeat," he said. "When I was listening to it [their debut], I felt like I didn't get a chance to breathe. There was a lot of 'too upbeat'. I guess people think we're already kind of a mellow band, so maybe the next album will be pretty boring to most people."

Not ones to rush things, it will probably later on in 2010 that the album will surface, but he did confirm that it would be released next year: "Definitely 2010. There's no way it wouldn't be next year. But probably the early second half, or mid-second half, stocking-stuffer style."

Fleet Foxes finish recording new album

Fleet Foxes have finished recording their new album, frontman Robin Pecknold has confirmed.

Writing on the band's Facebook page today (September 16), Pecknold said the Seattle band are now due to fly to New York to begin mastering and mixing the as-yet-untitled record.

"Well, recording is done!" Pecknold wrote. "We are flying to New York tomorrow to mix and master the album and will have information about [the] release date and when you'll get to hear a song or two soon. Geologically soon but soon."

Fleet Foxes head 'back into the cave' to finish off second album

Fleet Foxes have revealed that they are heading "back into the cave" to finish work on their second album.

Writing on the band's Facebook page yesterday (October 12), frontman Robin Pecknold said that they still had "ways to go" before finishing the follow-up to their 2008 self-titled debut.

"I guess I spoke too soon," Pecknold wrote. "The record, while close to being done, still has a ways to go. Would have been nice to have realized this before flying to New York to finish it, but so it goes."

He added: "This is how the first record went too, I think two songs were kept from the first batch of 12 we recorded for that album. Back into the cave. Thanks for waiting/caring, we just want it to be really great."

Fleet Foxes announce new album and free download



Fleet Foxes have called their second album 'Helplessness Blues' - and will release it on May 2.

The title track is streaming and is available to download free from the band's website, Fleetfoxes.com.

The album follows their self-titled 2008 debut and was co-produced by the band and Phil Ek (Band Of Horses, Les Savy Fav). The artwork - illustrated by Toby Liebowitz and painted by Chris Alderson - is pictured.

Fleet Foxes had to 're-record' new album 'Helplessness Blues'



Fleet Foxes' had to re-record much of the music they'd recorded for new album 'Helplessness Blues', singer Robin Pecknold has revealed.

The band spent much of 2009 recording the album, and previously said that it would definitely come out in 2010.

However, Pecknold has told Uncut that the band weren't happy with the sound of the material they'd initially recorded.

"When we did the first mix of the album it was like, 'This is where we're at, not where we want to be'," he said.

He added: "I felt there were things that could be improved. I wasn't being precious about it. I wanted the album finished and out as much as anyone. But as soon as we started re-tooling one or two of the tracks, that opened the floodgates."

Bassist Christian Wargo added: "It just sounded weird, not what we wanted. We just thought we could do a better job. That's what we all thought. I wasn't just Robin not wanting to let go of the thing."

The band said that they are more than happy with their second attempt at the album.

Pecknold explained: "There was absolutely no chance I was going to ever put out something that I wasn't totally convinced was as good as it could possibly be. I didn't care how many times we had to re-record stuff."

Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold: ''Grown Ocean' was inspired by nicotine patches'

Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold has revealed that the band's new album 'Helplessness Blues' was partly inspired by nicotine patches he was wearing during recording.

The singer was speaking in this week's issue of NME, in shops and available digitally tomorrow (April 13).

It was put to Pecknold that the album's first single, 'Grown Ocean', sounds like it was based on a dream. He replied: "Yeah. If you use a nicotine patch it can give you really insane dreams, really vivid and real. It kinda got to the point where I'd put a nicotine patch on before going to bed to see what would happen."

He added: "You'd have these really crazy experiences in your dreams. It was fun."

i have the first 2, they are in the take-back pile.

at first they were quite interesting, then they just got real old, real fast.

My 1st impression is similar to Renny's: it's not offensive but it's kinda boring.