Reviews

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend

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Review Date: 2008-02-02

“Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma?” I’m sure there are some people out there who do. I probably do, I put commas everywhere. Even where they’re not needed, like here, for example. But more importantly, should we give a fuck about Vampire Weekend? Well, the simple answer is yes; yes, you should. They’re widely tipped to be this year’s breakthrough band, so you’ll be hearing a lot about them from sources as varied as Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Heat magazine. See what I did there? Yes, very clever.

First off, this album is far from groundbreaking, but it is enjoyable. The songs are catchy, and sometimes what more do you really need? A lot of reviews have cited an African influence on the band, and it’s easy to compare ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’ to Paul Simon’s Gracceland. However, this Afropop description doesn’t really hold up for the entire album. ‘A-Punk’ has more in common with The Ramones than it does Fela Kuti, and ‘M79’ sounds like the theme tune to some art program.

Similarly, a lot has been said about the band’s upbringing. They’re more likely to wear polo shirts and boating shoes than to have had a part-time job in Burger King supporting their studies. But when has that ever mattered? Oh because you’re from a certain class, you don’t understand what it’s like to struggle, and thus can’t write Ian Brown or Noel Gallagher style songs. But do we really need another Noel Gallagher. And Ezra is a far more interesting name than Noel anyway. I bet he got bullied at school though.

Album opener and debut single ‘Mansard Roof’ is about a type of architecture. Although the premise is boring, the result is pretty damn sweet.  So songs about architecture, grammar points, meeting a girl at a lecture, everything is in here. What more could you ask for? I was never able to relate to any of the Mars Volta’s lyrics, but I actually can see where they’re coming from with some of these. At least they’re not singing about mythological horses right?

All the songs pack a punch, and the album only lasts 34 minutes as a result. Perhaps ‘I Stand Corrected’ could’ve been cut for ‘Boston’ though. It’s a much better song, and would’ve lengthened the album (By one second, but every second counts, doesn’t it?) This is more a summer than a late Winter album, but with the days starting to lengthen why shouldn’t we all start to party? I’m sure there are plenty of middle-class students in Columbia University who have already used this record to get someone into bed. And if it works, why complain?

Tracks to Hear: ‘Oxford Comma’, ‘A-Punk’, ‘Walcott’, ‘Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa’

Score: 8.1

The best Ivy League Pop I’ve heard in...well, ever. Isn’t about time you started giving a fuck about an Oxford comma?

- Ronan Hunt-Murphy