CRACK UP
Nonesuch.
Folk, Baroque Pop, Indie Rock.
Listening Format: CD
Oh, Fleet Foxes! It's been too long since I last heard from you! It's been 6 years since the American Indie Folk band dropped their sophomore record 'Helplessness Blues', and I've really missed them. In case you didn't already know, Fleet Foxes are one of the most blissful and euphoric voices in contemporary Folk music. The band are masterminded by vocalist and guitarist Robin Pecknold, whose incredible vocals are surely one of the most vivid and beautiful in the genre. It's almost like he has this ability to take the soulful vocal harmonies of Simon & Garfunkel, and embody them together in one voice. Fleet Foxes have self produced their third album 'Crack Up', but I have to hand it to the mix of Phil Ek, because this is the absolute benchmark for how vocals should sound on a Folk recording. Robin has the perfect amount of reverb on his voice, and he just soars gracefully on every word he sings. This gives Fleet Foxes such an immediately grabbing and recognisable sound that just melts my heart every time I hear them.
Here is the kicker though... 'Crack Up' is Fleet Foxes least immediate record yet. Yes I liked the sound of the record from the first listen, but the actual songs and structure of the album actually took some work to really sink into. Their 2008 self titled debut (it feels like only yesterday that it was released) was very much a Folk Pop record. It is by the far their catchiest album, spearheaded by their breakout single 'White Winter Hymnal' that is so easy to sing and hum along to. 'Crack Up' doesn't actually have a song that screams "catchy" or "hit single" on it. Fleet Foxes have continued a maturity and intricacy in the sound that they experimented with on 'Helplessness Blues'. That album saw the band meddling with progressive touches and sticking multiple songs into the same track. They explore upon this even further with opener 'I Am All That I Need / Arroyo Seco / Thumbprint Scar'. This track doesn't quite feel like three different songs strung into one track though... Maybe they couldn't decide on a title? The song is actually one of the simplest, largely hanging on a single strummed guitar chord that gradually rises and falls like an ocean wave as bombastic strings punch in and out of the mix. Closer inspection of the album booklet reveals stage directions in the lyrics, such as "But I'm all that I nee- / [The band kicks the loner off the stage]" which seems to reveal 'Crack Up' as concept album. If I had to guess, these foxes are taking the "fleet" of their name into a more literal context, by telling the story of a fleet of ships and their travels across the ocean.
As I said before, 'Crack Up' will take even the most avid Fleet Foxes fans a few full listens to really get on board with. A lot of the songs on this album seem to begin and end quite abruptly. It took me quite a few spins before I started to realise where one song ended and the next began. A lot of the album tends to flow together with little to no pause. However unlike classics albums that do this such as... THE classic album, 'Dark Side of the Moon', there aren't any interludes or instrumentals to help ease those transitions. When it works, it works really well. It's weird that 'Cassius-' and '-Naiads, Cassadies' felt the need to be split into separate tracks when they flow so gracefully into one another. And yet eight minute long 'Third of May / Odaigahara' probably could have split off around the five minute mark as the latter half shape-shifts into one of the more downbeat and melancholic moods, after what could easily have been one of the most uplifting and dare I say it... "hit single" of the album! It actually feels like Fleet Foxes are trying to shy away from an instant accessibility that made their debut album such a warm breeze, but when you play with such gorgeous sounds and brilliant instrumentation, there isn't really any need to be so evasive.
Whilst the album may not have anything that screams a Pop hit, it does still have some absolutely banging standout tracks. The aforementioned '-Naiads Cassadies' (as forgettable as the song title is), is the closest we get to a big singalong. This short and simple ditty is built on a tambourine shake and a pounding kick drum, as Robin spits rhetoric, "Who stole the life from you?" Instead of having a big chorus, Robin simply breaks into waves of ooohs and aaaahs. If it wasn't for the overly complex and inquisitive lyrics, I'd say this one might have you singing along, but you will certainly hum and tap your foot! 'Third of May...' explodes into life from the very first second, sounding so triumphant and passionate. The instrumentation is so rich, with the baroque vocal harmonies lifting the song over treacherous waves and jagged rocks, as sunlight bursts through the clouds and that massive chorus we were craving beams over the horizon. But my favourite song of all comes in the second half. 'On Another Ocean (January / June)' gradually builds with one of Robin's most haunting vocal performances and a brittle wandering piano. Halfway through the song suddenly morphs into this breathtaking electric guitar slacker rock strum that wouldn't sound out of place on a Mac DeMarco record. This simple transformation from stirringly dramatic to super chilled is a moment of true magic, delivering those glorious summery feels that I so craved. Unlike the eight and a half minute 'Third of May...', this is a track that doesn't feel long enough, having me reach for the skip back button! I shouldn't though, as it carries over superbly into 'Fool's Errand' that plays like a march into battle... Except, ya know... wielding acoustic guitars!
If I have to say anything negative about 'Crack Up' it is that it tries to be a little more complicated than it really needs to be. It is an admirable thing to want to challenge a listener, but Fleet Foxes actually sound better the lighter and more accessible they are. When they try to be a bit too clever, it can sometimes cloud the sheer passion and honesty that spews effortlessly from their music. But the working of grand orchestral parts and epic scale storytelling certainly shouldn't be dismissed. 'Crack Up' is their largest and most ambitious album yet, full of vivid instrumentation and compelling narratives. Like any good record, it will reward you with repeat listening and gradually unfold like a flower in bloom. Easily a strong album of the year contender. 8/10.
No comments:
Post a Comment