Album Review: Vampire Weekend – Contra
Rewind back to Wednesday 24th of October 2007 standing inside a packed Social off Little Portland Street Vampire Weekend played only their second London show in their short history and the venue was packed full of music enthusiasts, bloggers, record label types and myself. Once they had finished their set that night everyone in that room knew this band would go onto bigger and better things.
For at this point Vampire Weekend were just a buzz band, a bit like Black Kids (remember them?) A few months later they had released one of the most successful indie albums of the year and fast forward to the present day Vampire Weekend are one of the biggest bands on the circuit, proof they were not just another buzz band.
‘Contra’ is the sophomore album by Vampire Weekend, also known as the ‘difficult second album’, but as the album proves quite brilliantly is that second albums do not have to be difficult. Lead single ‘Cousins’ carries on where ‘A-Punk’ left off and musically it is chaotic, just how we and Vampire Weekend like it.
‘Run’ is yet another example of how to craft a splendid pop song and Vampire Weekend are the masters of it. ‘California English’, ‘Holiday’, ‘White Sky’ and ‘Horchata’ are the perfect three minute pop song. All at around three minutes each they are short, punchy and ultimately catchy.
What this album proves is that Vampire Weekend are no one trick pony’s and along with their great ability to write three minute pop wonders they can write more thought out and progressive tracks. ‘Giving Up The Gun’ at almost five minutes is proof that they can construct more mature songs. The last two tracks on the record ‘Diplomat’s Son’ and ‘I Think Ur A Contra’ are two more examples of this.
‘Contra’ has a great blend of maturity mixed with the fun that a Vampire Weekend record brings.
8/10
Vampire Weekend - Giant (Download via Mediafire) (iTunes Bonus Track)
Vampire Weekend - California English Pt. 2 (Download via Mediafire) (iTunes Bonus Track)
