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It's now twenty years since grunge emerged from then culturally isolated Seattle and Fleet Foxes, the eponymous debut album from the city's latest heroes, demonstrates just how much American independent rock has mutated in that time. The five young members of Fleet Foxes make up a very different sort of rock band, describing their own music as "baroque harmonic pop jams". Even that understates the depths of the quintet's effortless vocal harmonies and gently woozy, folky feel. Of their contemporaries only the enigmatic Midlake and My Morning Jacket at their most fragile come close, but neither could have cooked up the Beach Boys spiritual of "White Winter Hymnal" or its more powerful companion piece "Ragged Wood". In fact Fleet Foxes happily admit to aspiring to an earlier tradition--not just obvious antecedents like the Byrds, the Association, Neil Young and, especially, David Crosby's famously unfocussed solo album If Only I Could Remember My Name but ancient English folk songs and their later American descendents. All were hunted and gathered from the internet--songwriters Robin Pecknold and Skye Skjelset are barely in their twenties. Add a host of unlikely instruments and the results are stunning, the complete antithesis of mainstream stadium indie that has followed Arcade Fire. Still, the cover features a Bruegel painting of peasants that might have graced any Black Sabbath sleeve. In that way at least Fleet Foxes salute a local tradition.

Product Description
Seattle's Fleet Foxes traffic in baroque harmonic pop. They draw influences from the traditions of folk, pop, choral, gospel, sacred harp singing, West Coast music, traditional music from Ireland to Japan, film scores, and their NW peers. The subject matter ranges from the natural world and familial bonds to bygone loves and stone cold graves.

1. Sun it Rises 3:13
2. White Winter Hymnal 2:29
3. Ragged Wood 5:09
4. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song 3:31
5. Quiet Houses 3:34
6. He Doesn't Know Why 3:22
7. Heard Them Stirring 3:04
8. Your Protector 4:11
9. Meadowlarks 3:13
10. Blue Ridge Mountains 4:27
11. Oliver James 3:23

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017R5UAA/?tag=imwan-20

For those of you now getting into Fleet Foxes because of their debut album above, make note of this CD EP entitled [lilred]Sun Giant[/lilred] which was released a few months ago as a precursor to the album:



Seattle's Fleet Foxes make such complex, harmonic, 70s inspired folk-rock, it's hard to believe that the band's principle songwriter, Robin Pecknold, is only 21 years old. There's a moment on David Crosby's "Laughing" where Cros, Joni, and the whole gang hit a harmony that might be the most gorgeous moment in the history of recorded music. The Fleet Foxes know that moment and they go for it. This EP is a precursor to the band's debut out in June.

1. Sun Giant 2:14
2. Drops in the River 4:13
3. English House 4:41
4. Mykonos 4:35
5. Innocent Son 3:07

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014DBZX8/?tag=imwan-20

Love this tune...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE[/youtube]

For vinyl afficianados, the EP comes bundled with the LP in a double gatefold sleeve. It also contains a certificate so you can download both at no extra charge:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017R5UA0/?tag=imwan-20

Got the album. It's starting to grow on me. Every time I listen, it sounds better. These guys could be on to something.

Greg, I agree. Have played it in heavy rotation the last few weeks. Need to find the EP now!

Fleet Foxes' J. Tillman Gives Solo LPs Digital Release
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/n ... al-release

J. Tillman, the kindly looking bearded fellow who has been manning the skins for Fleet Foxes and adding to their chorus of heavenly harmonies for a few months now, has released all four of his solo records digitally for the first time.

Three of the four LPs -- his first two (I Will Return and Long May You Run, J. Tillman) and his most recent (Cancer and Delirium) -- arrive online via Aquarium Drunkard's Autumn Tone Records. Tillman's third album, Minor Works, comes courtesy of Undertow. All four albums are available from digital retailers now.

Tillman already has a fifth album in the works, entitled Vacilando Territory Blues. No word just yet on a release date for that one.

Heard the EP the other day. I liked it even better than the album.

This album is being re-released on February 2 in the UK with a bonus disc containing the 5 tracks from the EP and the previously unreleased "False Knight On The Road".

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NWI64G/?tag=imwan-21