Album Review: Veckatimest
Veckatimest solidifies Grizzly Bear as indie rock royalty and supports the argument that 2009 may already be the best year indie music has seen this decade. As one of the most anticipated releases this side of Merriweather Post Pavilion, Veckatimest exceeds all expectations and may just be the best album of the year. It’s difficult to describe a record that nears perfection, and Veckatimest deserves all accolades that come its way. The album leaked almost three months early, and less than adequate copies of this opus have been circulating for some time. Fortunately, the album officially releases next Tuesday (vinyl pre-orders have already shipped), and all of the intricate elements that make Grizzly Bear the best at their craft can be revealed.
The album opens with “Southern Point,” a whispery and complex track that is reminiscent of 70s Steely Dan. “Two Weeks” is a simple, blissful track that features Ed Droste’s hauntingly beautiful vocals and Chris Bear’s off-time, sporadic drumming (one of the album’s greatest strengths). This song may be the one that leads Grizzly Bear into the next stratosphere (similar to what “My Girls” did for Animal Collective). Unbelievably, the album does not peak with the stellar “Two Weeks.” “All We Ask” and “Fine For Now” turn the reigns over to Daniel Rossen, whose euphoric guitar tones make hair stand on end. Droste’s impeccable vocals captivate again on “Cheerleader,” the album’s first single.
“Ready, Able” may just be the best offering on Veckatimest. This song places Ed Droste in a category inhabited by few. His voice absolutely mesmerizes, and the additional vocal effects do not distract but add another dimension to the song’s composition not often seen in the band’s songwriting. About two minutes into the song, Droste brings us to the album’s highpoint, a repeating chorus that should never end. “They go we go, I want you to know, what I did I did,” confesses Droste over a crescendo of strings and guitar. Rossen continues the immaculate songwriting with the lovely “About Face” and “Hold Still.” “While You Wait For The Others” follows, and Veckatimest peaks once again. Rossen’s lyrics are especially strong, as he professes, “while you wait on the answers that I’ll pretend to find | keeping up with emotions still occupies our time.” The song features some very witty vocal deliveries, leading to harmonies that spellbind (the album is filled with them). “I Live With You” is another stamp of greatness and is as beautifully chaotic as the album gets. The album ends with the prettiest song that Grizzly Bear has conceived to date in “Foreground.” Ed Droste’s pop sensibilities shine through on this inspired piano ballad. The song and album end with an eerie choir of voices that slowly fade to silence.
Grizzly Bear makes a genre-defining statement with their finest work to date. Veckatimest is an album that music publications, bloggers and fans will be talking about for ages. There is an overwhelming sense of melancholy and hope on this magnificent collection of songs. And it’s the perfect recipe to drown your sorrows in. The disc requires dozens of spins to truly appreciate all the intricate components of this staggering and coherent composition. Grizzly Bear is an astonishingly good band at the top of their game, and Veckatimest sets the standard for ambitious and eclectic indie folk.
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