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Contra (Bonus Track Version)

Vampire Weekend

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iTunes Review

Vampire Weekend’s second, self-produced album carries with it the charming hallmarks of the first funneled into 10 streamlined songs: breezy, weightless melodies; pristine high-register vocals; beyond-literate storytelling; and atypical song structures that incorporate elements of chamber pop and bouncy, African-influenced rhythms. Steel-drum-dappled opener, “Horchata”, sets the carefree tone that’s echoed by ethereal “White Sky” with its fluttering synths, brushed drums, and cathartic cooing. Amidst a sinewy melody grounded by a strutting bassline, “Holiday” brings to mind the previous album’s “Oxford Comma”, as frontman Ezra Koenig muses about seeing the word “bombs” blown up to a large font type. It’s this ability to weave wily phrases with wispy melodies that make Vampire Weekend appeal to a broader audience than the average indie band. This version of Contra includes an exclusive track: horn-speckled “Giant” that begins with a vocal interpolation of Notorious B.I.G.’s rap classic “Juicy” and further hints at a California theme woven throughout the album.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Second Album

This is a brilliant follow-up from their debut, with the best tracks including Cousins, Horchata and the six minute diplomat's son. A recommended purchase, especially to fans of the first album.

I ♥ Vampire Weekend But I'm Disappointed

I love Vampire Weekend so much and their first album created everything I love about them and their originality. The african beats in the music complete what I beleive is the best music ever. But with this album I got very upset when I listened for the first time. It seems like they've tried to hard to create a more electric quirky feel but its just made some songs messy and its lost the magic of the first album. I think they could have done better. However I really like 'Horchata' and 'White Sky' as they are more similar to the original material in the debut album. Having said all this, the music is still in a different league to mainstream artists so buy this album, but make sure you buy the first one too ♥

A magnificent tour de force

Who would have thought, a second album every bit as good as the first, brim full of ideas, invention, imagination and sheer playfulness. wonderful, wonderful stuff. Don't hesitate to add this to your collection! As the NME recently said, the most unique band on the planet. Add to that the most inventive and you are not even half way there!

Biography

Formed: NY

Genre: Alternative

Years Active: '00s, '10s

Describing their sound as "Upper West Side Soweto," New York City's Vampire Weekend mix preppy, well-read indie rock with joyful, Afro-pop-inspired melodies and rhythms. Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio, Rostam Batmanglij, and Chris Tomson formed the band early in 2006, when they were finishing up their studies at Columbia University. Taking their name from a movie Koenig made during his freshman year, the band started out by playing gigs at the university's literary societies and at parties. Word spread...
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