Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
Warp
out May 26th
[89]
[Rating Scale]
[rating:89/100]
Music fans today often toe the line between fans and junkies, looking for the stickiest bass, the speediest beat, the hottest new thing to hit the streets. We search for the next bump, the next hit, the next thing we can inject into our ears to make us feel so good.
Thing is – and here’s the rub – music isn’t really meant to be treated like that. Sure, our remix culture is trying to turn it into something that’s good for a quick high and bad for lasting relationships, but that’s not the way music’s supposed to be. Music is supposed to be enjoyed like wine. Rolled around on the tongue, sipped, savored. Shared with good friends. Aged in the dark for years and then revisited for special occasions when you feel like treating yourself.
Grizzly Bear’s latest album, Veckatimest, is a fine bottle of wine
Like any bottle of wine, Veckatimest wasn’t at its best when it was prematurely opened three months ago. It was good, no doubt about that, but it wasn’t at its highest quality. It was poured too early, and judging an album before it is ripe isn’t fair. So now that the album has aged nicely and can be experienced with its full flavor, let’s pull up a chair, crack open a case of Grizzly Bear, and enjoy a nice glass of Veckatimest.
When the cork is first popped, out pours “Southern Point”, a track that starts with light notes that soon blossom into one of the more upbeat songs on the record. It contains traces of styles found across the entire album in a myriad of forms; sometimes Ed Droste’s vocals are airy and removed, elsewhere they are front and center. The guitars are occasionally clean, but are just as often fuzzy and effected. The drums oscillate between driving and punctuating. The tune is a delicious whiff of what’s to come.
The first real sip, however, is where the full flavor of Veckatimest hits for the first time. “Two Weeks”, the album’s second track, is impossible to dislike – the piano notes dance sweetly while Droste’s voice does the real work, giving the track legs that stick it firmly in your mind for the duration of the album. It’s the kind of song that you listen to once and immediately make up your mind about, tell your friends about, write home about. I bet hundreds of hipster kids will have their first kiss to this song.
Following a dramatic opening, Veckatimest (like any worthy wine) continues to grow on the listener the more it is tasted. Subtler notes reveal themselves, in no hurry to rush to the front of the crowd. It’s the type of album that really flourishes when you give it time, listen to it at its own pace. Skip from track to track and you lose the spirit of the album, the very idea of Grizzly Bear. It doesn’t really make sense, but more than many bands these days, Grizzly Bear is making songs to listen to slowly. Put the to-do list to the side before you sit down to enjoy this album.
Veckatimest isn’t a good album. It’s a beautiful album. Unhurried and effortlessly, Grizzly Bear finds a balance in which detachment and patience mix to sound worldly and wise. The band lets the music breathe, letting the notes fall where they belong rather than trying to place them perfectly. As a result, each track takes on a feeling that is equal parts identifiable and unique. The cuts are Grizzly Bear varietals – the album isn’t just a bottle of wine, it’s a whole wine cellar.
“Ready, Able” is an oaky red, perfect for winter afternoons and forest cabins. “About Face” is a brighter summertime white, to be enjoyed with a sunshower. The opening notes of “Fine For Now” are a sacred Port and “I Live With You” is a sweet dry Sherry. The entire album is delicious.
It isn’t for everyone, though. There will certainly be a fair number of bump-seekers that will leave empty-handed and disappointed. The tracks on Veckatimest, although reservedly hopeful, aren’t always upbeat. Droste’s voice has a mournful tinge to it, evocative of a broken heart or an empty bottle. But for those who take the time to give this album a chance, I’d venture that few will be disappointed.
“Foreground”, the album’s closing track, is one of the most gorgeous songs I have heard in years. It is painfully simple, calm – tranquil and yet unsettling. It envelopes the listener, the taste of the final drop of wine slowly spreading across the tongue. And when it is finally finished, Veckatimest lingers, hesitant to disappear entirely. It’s a perfect ending to a fantastic album that will only continue to improve with age. Enjoy.
To enter to win a copy of Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest, leave a comment with your thoughts on the Grizzly Bear, the tracks you’ve just sampled, or (if you’ve listened to it) the album. Make sure you leave your name/email address in the provided fields! Entries will be accepted until May 26th
Chris Barth writes a weekly Thinking Man feature here at Pretty Much Amazing and now he’s trying to review albums. You can read his more succinct daily entries at his blog, The Stu Reid Experiment.
Tags: Grizzly Bear
I fucking hate this website
Hi Raul! You seem like a really cool guy. Or should I say, “Raul-y” cool! HAHA!
This is the first album in a long time that has made me want to tell everyone I know about it. It’s beautiful and I want to share it with the world.
Not completely sure what I think after hearing those three songs, although I will definitely have to agree that “Foreground” is one of the most gorgeous songs of the year.
I’m pretty anxious for this album to drop even tho, yes, it was leaked a month early or whatevs, it will be fresh to me.
I kinda feel this would be an excellent summer album–I listened to their other albums heavily last summer too. Their songs are so chill and dreamy I think I might dissipate into a cloud and drift away .::.::.
Oh man- this album. GYUH!
i wasnt a GB fan around the time of yellow house, but then when iwas GB perform While you wait for the others live on conan i was like :0 :O :0. after that point i was looking forward to the album. downloaded the leak- disappointed.
BUT, then i happened to listen to it twice more and then suddenly
:- ( )
TOO GOOD
I LIKE BEAR!
Love their ambient sounds. Really love their poppier side that is showcased in Two Weeks and in more subtle ways in Southern Point. Such a good opening to the record. Can’t wait to hear the rest.
P.S. I don’t think Droste sings on Southern Point(unless it’s some backing parts) It’s mostly Daniel Rossen.
I’ve been resisting downloading Veckatimest ever since I first heard it leaked online. OK, that’s not completely true. Once I caved and had it completely downloaded but quickly realized the error of my ways and deleted it post haste.
Since then, I’ve been repeatedly watching their performance of “While You Wait For The Others” on You Tube and, well, simply waiting for Grizzly Bear.
Thanks for the great review. I enjoyed the extended metaphor!
Not heard much Grizzly Bear before but loving these tracks and definitely want to hear the rest of the album.
Grizzly Bear on Letterman tonight 5/20…set yr DVRs!
KCRW out here in LA is playing the s**t out of this new album and rightfully so. GB’s unique brand of space-folk never sounded better.
I’d even go further than the 89 you gave it!
Bands just don’t (or just don’t seem to) put that much effort into crafting beautiful music these days. Each time I listen to this album I’m astounded. It’s simply stunning.
Yellow House got me through a rough patch a couple of years ago and I didn’t think Grizzly Bear would be able to top it but they have!
Great review PMA
p.s. the wine analogies went a bit too far and left a bitter taste in my mouth. boom boom tsh!
I haven’t heard all of the tracks yet, but I’ve heard a remix of Two Weeks and it’s pretty much amazing.
I have only heard like five tracks from veckatimest and they have all be excellent!! southern point and two weeks are my favorites though. I cant wait to listen to the entire album when it comes out. its going to be a crazy good!!
Two Weeks is my favourite song at the moment but it keeps changing as they’re all pretty damn good. This is the first Grizzly Bear album I’ve heard so I’ve definitely got to hear Yellow House too.
@David, Ha! Thank you for pointing that out! I’ve changed up the entry rules!
@Will, thank you for letting me know! Fixed!
I noticed an error. The song is “Ready, Able” not just “Ready”.
Nice piece of writing though!
i’ve had a back-of-the-mind crush on grizzly bear since their daytrotter session in 2007.
grizzly bear has always felt like sigur ros’ american step brother to me, and ‘foreground’ makes me think this even more. i’d love to win the new cd.
Cant wait to hear this album! Its taken all my will power not to download the shitty leak haha
I have listened to 5 songs of the album and I must say it already got me, I keep clicking on play several times a day. Of course, 2 weeks is more than only pretty much amazing but I’m starting to fall in love with the other songs too. I’m very curious about the whole album! *wishesherselfluck*
I’d love to win the album — but I couldn’t give you my review til then!
I’ve only heard a couple of songs from the album, and I just got the song Cheerleaders free from the Canadian iTunes, and I really like everything I’ve heard!!!!
I have to admit, it took me a while to get into Grizzly Bear. I had Yellow House but for some reason I just kind of left it on the “to be listened to” pile. I went back when I felt the time was right and heard it again and fell in love. Guess it’s one of those albums. Anyway, a little birdie told me that Veckatimest would be a little poppier and more open than the previous albums and that’s the sound I tend to like. The second I heard Two Weeks on Letterman I was hooked. Cheerleader was the next single that hit the ears and it further solidified my assumptions about Veckatimest. I tried my hardest to keep from grabbing that leaked version and have held out so far. The songs you posted sound brilliant and crisp. A huge step forward. Can’t wait.
evan dormont
evdormont@gmail.com
togetherindigitaldreams.com
If were in a contest to win the album, how are we supposed to already give our thoughts on it? lol
album is pretty good, although im more of a junkie so two weeks is my fav. quite the metaphorical review, well done.