Fleet Foxes

Seattle's Fleet Foxes offer the masses an album that is packed with plays on harmony and melody. With lyrics that are languid and ambiguous they allow the listener to be enveloped in a cocoon of sound and hymns. While polyphony and acapella lead listeners through the intro of "White Winter Hymnal", the crescendo lands you smack dab in the middle of chamber pop. Aside from the influences of Americana and Native American rhythms there's also sonic references to folk 60's bands like The Byrds,The Zombies and even the Beach Boys. While they sonically pull from those groups the subject matter is much more solemn, subdued and pagan with allusions to nature. There is a recurring theme of isolated moments in time, of quiet and majestic happenings that take place right under our noses and over our heads. The songs aren't necessarily stories but snapshots, vignettes or occurrences that conjure feelings or moods. "Ragged Wood" has a driving rhythm that breaks down midway as the acoustic and bass guitars segue into an ostinato that slows the tempo down. There are references to Renaissance music("Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" & "Your Protector") and even choral music("Heard Them Stirring") all beautifully crafted. The songs are so thoughtfully executed and so well rounded they move beyond mere imitations or snapshots of the rock/folk evolution. Song after song delivers quality and a quiet storm of imagery. It all comes to a climax on the epic "Blue Ridge Mountain" with an endearing lyrical post script delivery. It's like you're bearing witness in an isolated forest where Fall makes the trees drop their leaves and Winter blankets the woods with snow...and you've been allowed the privilege to see the wonder happen.