Fleet Foxes

As indie rock is going through its folk movement, Fleet Foxes are capitalizing on this new fad. Their soft woozy style brings back memories of legendary folk-rockers like The Band, Nick Drake, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash. 

With their self-titled debut album, Fleet Foxes mix what these acts have accomplished and created their own melodic sound that is easy on the ear. But their pleasant sound doesn't come without a price. The songs wash together without any real change of pace and their lack of intensity can cause a loss of interest after only a few songs. The songs individually are good but I would like to see them try and go outside of their comfort zone. 

I do like where the Fleet Foxes are going with this album and am interested in what they will do next. If you like The Band, you will certainly like this band.

B

Woody

Woody Guthrie was the original folk protest songwriter and has brought a heavy influence on later songwriters like Bob Dylan and Ramblin' Jack Elliot; by singing about fascists, unions, the Dust Bowl, and equality. His sarcastic wit in songs like "Mean Talkin' Blues," powerful voice in "Dust Bowl Blues," and day-dreaming reflections in "Ingrid Bergman," makes him one of the most diverse and creative songwriters of the 20th century.

Guthrie is from another time, making his lyrics and sound hard to relate for people in today's society. Today we're more worried about terrorists than fascists and hurricanes than dust storms. But Guthrie's ideals of freedom and love are something we should all relate to.

My advise for those who have not heard Guthrie before is to check out Wilco and Billy Bragg's collaboration called Mermaid Avenue, in which they cover many unreleased Guthrie songs with a more modern alt-country sound. There are two volumes released in 1998 and 2000. The sound is good, but what makes the album worth buying is Guthrie's words.

"Birds and Ships"

The birds are singing

In your eyes today

The flowers blooming in your smile;

The wind and sun

Are in the words you say;

Where might your lonesome lover be?

Birds may be singing

In my eyes this day;

Sweet flowers may blossom when i smile;

My soul is stormy

And my heart blows wild;

My sweet hearts rides a ship at sea.

-Woody Guthrie