Comments on: The Thinking Man’s Take On: Album Of The Year 2009 Showdown, II

By: mcgaunt

mcgaunt — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:12:16 +0000

Although fun to read – it doesn’t make sense to me to say that one is better than the other. Its like comparing apples to oranges. They serve different purposes.
MPP I enjoy for its druggy outlandishness and otherworldly complexities – I love the way it makes me feel disoriented!

Veckatimest is lush, organic, intimate and mindblowingly beautiful. Plus GB have the best vocals and harmonies on this side of The Beach Boys.

Maybe they can split the topspot?
(twist my arm and I’ll admit it: I prefer GB)

By: No.EatMe.

No.EatMe. — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:07:35 +0000

I think that having the leak be of poor quality (technically speaking) is a positive thing for Grizzly Bear. A big enough deal has been made about the quality that people are now going to be more interested in hearing the music at its best when it comes out.

By: Arrian

Arrian — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:26:39 +0000

I would say Veckatimest, without a doubt. Here’s why — it is a remarkably unified whole. Every song contributes to a soulful exploration of a relationship between two people.

For example, to me the final minute of All We Ask is perhaps the most vital, heartbreaking moment on the record. It feels like a song that’s lost its chorus, and when it finally finds it around 4:20, what would be an ebullient shuffle like Two Weeks before it becomes wistful and undercut with slow, sweeping strings — like good intentions come too late. Just that moment slayed me more than anything on MPP.

Veckatimest is personal, private, tear-inducingly real.

By: turbo

turbo — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:49:10 +0000

I love reading these album of the year showdowns. Can’t wait for the next one.

By: chris

chris — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:08:54 +0000

@ Andrew K – There are still plenty of great albums on the horizon! Clipse, Passion Pit, Yeasayer, Outkast (and Big Boi AND maybe Andre 3000), Dirty Projectors, Eminem, Peter Bjorn and John, Iron and Wine, Phoenix, Dr. Dre (?), and Wilco…just to name a few off the top of my head.

Get pumped!

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:56:47 +0000

Two Weeks = God Only Knows

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:28:13 +0000

Man, you are oh so wrong. Grizzly Bear FTW all thew way. MPP is nice and all but it doesn’t have the heart and soul of Grizzly Bear. It’s way too compressed to begin with and the songs noodle too much. Veckatimest to me doesn’t have a bad track where as Avey’s yelps get quite annoying after awhile as does the lack of dynamics sonically for MPP (they need to let that album BREATE a bit)

I like MPP, it’s fun, but I think in a few years you wont be listening to it and you’ll be repeating Vecaktimest. Much like Yellow House, Grizzly Bear don’t reveal all their beauty in the beginning , takes time and effort.

Mark my words, Veckatimest is a modern Classic, MPP, modern Hype

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:51:28 +0000

If I were Droste, I would personally leak the album in high quality. Why not?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:47:19 +0000

So Chris, how many bulbs would you give GB?

By: Andrew K

Andrew K — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:55:59 +0000

PS: I too love that line from Lion in a Coma!

By: Andrew K

Andrew K — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:53:39 +0000

If Grizzly Bear and Heartless Bastards are already out of the question, what is left to contend with Animal Collective’s masterpiece?

By: Henry

Henry — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:52:06 +0000

Even though I absolutely loved Veckatimest, I don’t think it topped MPP either.

I don’t feel Grizzly Bear covered any new ground on the album, they just tore it up and repaved it (which is sometimes better).

The thing is, MPP did both of those at the same time!

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:46:10 +0000

I personally loved both albums (and this article!). Yeah, it’s sad it leaked, but GB fans have to stop crying about it… you know you downloaded it.

Maybe the sound could have affected people’s perception of it, but don’t bet too much on it. I thought V was great, but it doesn’t top MPP. I don’t think listening to it in higher quality will change that.

Great review/analysis Chris

By: Mick

Mick — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:48:59 +0000

I agree with Will. It does seem inappropriate. And to be honest I’m a bit disappointed you did compare them this early on.

By: Will

Will — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:32:27 +0000

I don’t think this should have been done until the album comes out. It is unfair to review the album when its at such low quality.