Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
10 out of 10

Every so often something comes along that blindsides me. I love having low to no expectations for something and then finding that I probably can't imagine how my life would have been without it. And yes, music is such an intense part of my being, that there is some music I literally cannot live without. I have Grizzly Bear's last cd Yellow House, and, while it is a very good album, it really didn't do much for me at the time. I think I barely listened to it more than a couple of times. When I heard they had a new cd coming out, it was far down on my list of albums to purchase. Then I began seeing advance reviews for it and they were most, if not all, glowing. I checked out some live performances of the tracks on Youtube and was impressed, but not so much that I was going to go out of my way to buy the cd on the first day. Then there was the performance of first single "Two Weeks" on Letterman and the accompanying video. It just struck me, the attention to detail, the beautiful harmonies, and even the nod to Dr. Dre in the tinkling piano.



I immediately downloaded the cd and have listened to it at least twice a day, sometimes up to ten times a day. This cd to me is akin to Radiohead's OK Computer, where all the pieces were there in the previous releases, but they hadn't coalesced into something transcendent. The production is meticulous, but never fussy, each instrument and voice is placed perfectly, but not perfunctorily so, there is room for breath, room for surprise.

The first half of the cd is perfect in pacing and execution. Beginning with "Southern Point" an almost jaunty Crosby Stills and Nash sounding song, that begins unassuming and delicate and erupts into a swirling mass of Beach Boys harmonies, horns, percussion, and strings.



Then following through with the aforementioned "Two Weeks," and "All We Ask" leading to, in my opinion, the finest song they have put together, "Fine For Now." Containing odd harmonies, strangely tuned guitars, delicate percussion, and haunting background vocals, the song sticks in your head especially once it builds to the line "if we're faltering/how do I help with that/if it's all or nothing/then let me go." I love the small touches of electronics whirring in the background. This will likely be my single of the year. Everything about the song is perfect.



Some of the complaints about Veckatimest is that the second half of the cd pales in comparison to the brilliant first half. When I first listened to the cd, I felt the same way, but then I sort of stopped trying to compare the halves and took it for the whole that it was meant to be. The album is almost a life cycle. The first half is quick, to the point, and supremely focused. Once the middle is reached with "Cheerleader" it starts to get slower, more confused, but still full of life and wonderful random touches.

"Ready, Able" begins with a motorik beat and swirling harps, transforming to the end of the song into a hypnotic blend of chanting vocals, state fair organs, and chiming guitars.

The cd hits the contemplatative "About Face" and "Hold Still," which threaten to bring the momentum to a halt, but only act as a palette cleanser for the brilliant triptych of the final songs. "While You Wait For The Others" is probably the most "rock" song on the album, with relatively out of control guitars and goofy, funky vocals.



"I Live With You" starts with hushed strings and choirs and bluesy vocals, sounding like a mash up between the White Stripes and Bjork's more classical arrangements. The song reminds me a musical equivalent of Do Not Go Gentle In That Good Night once the song develops into an almost calliope-like madness.



And completing the cycle is perhaps their most touching and minimal song, "Foreground." Grounded with a beautiful piano melody and underscored with subtle strings, the song is just gorgeous. Just when you think it can't get any more beautiful, a swelling chorus emerges and the chillbumps take over. I haven't heard anything this stunningly beautiful since Bjork's "Unison."

Veckatimest is an important release. Every listen reveals something new and wonderful. There are times when I listen to it and I think I have overlistened to it and that it is not as good as I thought. Then one more listen dispels that notion. It is not the type of album that lends itself to singles. You have to listen to the whole thing from beginning to end in order to feel the full range of emotions associated with it. I beg everyone to give it a shot, it is very worth it.