Only God Was Above Us
by Vampire Weekend
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This album has been added to 4 private lists and 12 public lists:
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2024 Top 20
Adam WoodPreviously, New York’s preppy genre-blenders scored 4th spot in 2008 with their self-titled debut; 7th in 2010 for follow-up Contra; missed out on a spot for Modern Vampires of the City in 2013; and made a return to the list in 2019, taking 7th spot with the resurgent Father of the Bride. There are those who would disagree with that ranking, with consensus seeming to hold that MVotC is amongst the band’s career high points, and FotB a misstep. For those people then, Only God Was Above Us must read like a welcome return to form. (FWIW, whilst the 2013 LP has grown in my estimation over the years, it’s still my least favourite.)
Every bit of the Vampire Weekend spectrum is explored here: jaunty melodies, galloping guitar and frenetic piano, percussion engaging with a gamut of geographical influence, improbable string interludes, the delicate building into the cacophonous. And all of that is just statement-of-intent opener ‘Ice Cream Piano’. We’ve also got sample manipulation, surf guitar, too-clever poetic lyricism, layered vocals… you get the picture. When the opening drum patterning on ‘Connect’ lifts directly from debut album opener ‘Mansard Roof’, you can look at it two ways. Either this is a band running short on ideas, or this is Vampire Weekend doing Vampire Weekend things. There’s more than enough evidence on this album that creativity is not in short supply! Indeed, when so few acts sound anything like this, it’s hard to complain. Several tracks here are amongst their very best (though ‘Diane Young’ still holds that crown), and—on tracks like ‘Prep-School Gangsters’, ‘Gen-X Cops’ and epic closer ‘Hope’—it’s interesting to observe the ways in which middle age has begun to play a role in the former upstarts’ outlook on the world.
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A Break From My Playlists
Josh DSome tracks on here I liked, but ultimately not my jam. A little too chaotic for me in parts.
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2024 Shows/Concerts/Musicals
Ava Hess7/30/24 - Vampire Weekend at The Armory! Super cool to see lots of songs I kinda grew up with live. Also my first time at The Armory! Loved it!!
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Luistert naar ... 🎧
DiederikDirect tickets 🎫 gekocht voor concert.
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2024 Listens
BarryI like. The whole family is going to a concert in July. This album should fit in nicely with the set.
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z0z4
jzfski 💭🇺🇸
Indie Rock, Chamber Pop, Baroque Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Noise Pop, Art Pop, Progressive Pop
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Best of 2024
Jason DettbarnTheir fifth album is a return to the form of their earlier works, but through the lens of an older/more mature and better (technically) group of musicians. You’ll hear the bass flourishes, the pianos, the familiar drum patterns, and the catchy guitar leads you enjoyed on those early records. But you’ll also hear more orchestral elements, string & horn sections, and jazzy instrumental freak outs that come from more confident songwriters.
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