2008-01-29
Pull together classical music, Paul Simon’s Graceland, sound clips from a Nintendo game, a weathered drum set, and a dictionary, and you have Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut. Vampire Weekend’s music is full of variation, playfulness, and intelligence. Do I know what their lyrics mean half the time? No. Does it matter? Not at all. Just try to count the instruments used on the CD without looking at the liner notes. Try to keep the choruses from running through your head. The four former Columbia University students have generated an early buzz by opening for the Shins and Animal Collective. Don’t be surprised if they sell out a tour of their own. I’m already making plans to see them in Ann Arbor in February. —MLGSNOW PATROL
Fallen Empires
Matthew Ryan
HUSTLE UP STARLINGS
STEVE WYNN AND THE MIRACLE THREE
…tick…tick…tick
THE EXTRA TEXTURE
The Extra Texture
TWO LOONS FOR TEA
Nine Lucid Dreams
Grant-Lee Phillips
Virginia Creeper
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.