Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Thanks to an early leak of their new album and a pair of late-night television appearances, Veckatimest has become one of the best-reviewed indie rock albums of 2009. In fact the song "Two Weeks" had become one of the most downloaded songs on the net long before the actual album had even been released. Usually when an album is getting this much hype this fast it has more to do with clever marketing and less to do with the album actually being good. I have been smacked in the face with this grim reality one time too many in the past few years. However I must admit Grizzly Bear's new foray into psych-folk-pop is a solid album and most definitely worth the hype.

Originally a solo project of singer Edward Droste (Department of Eagles), Grizzly Bear officially became a bleep on the radar in 2006 with the release of their first full album Yellow House. Throwing into the mix Christopher Bear (drums/percussion), Daniel Rossen (vocals/guitar) and Chris Taylor (multi-instrumentalist/sound mixer), Grizzly Bear received universal praise for their dense arrangements and winding song structures. They've toured with TV on the Radio, Feist, Paul Simon an even had an opening slot on the second leg of Radiohead's In Rainbows tour. In Toronto, on their last show of the tour, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood praised Grizzly Bear on stage calling them his favorite band.



With the release of Veckatimest, Grizzly Bear has once again offered up an album of well crafted music full of sweeping melodies and lucid pop. They have honed their sound so well that it is amazing to think that this is only their 2nd full length album. All four members of the band sing, with Rossen and Droste trading lead vocals almost song for song. From the seductive guitar riffs of the albums first track "Southern Point" to the swirling psychedelic instrumentation of "I Live With You", there are plenty of stand out tracks to keep your attention.

If you haven't already figured it out, the best track on the album is the stunning "Two Weeks", a pure indie-pop masterpiece that will jump inside your head and refuse to leave for weeks. Starting with a simple repetitive piano note before Rossen and Droste jump in with their addictive vocal harmonies, singing about relationships over a plucky bass line. Keep an ear out for the swooning voice of Victoria Legrand (Beach House) who provides a wordless backing chorus that perfectly compliments Rossen and Droste voices. This is by far the most radio-friendly song on the album which explains it immense popularity.

Grizzly Bear are currently in the middle of a North American tour, which includes a stop at the Blue Note in Columbia, MO on October 1st. Tickets are $20 in advance/$22 the day of the show.

http://www.grizzly-bear.net
http://www.myspace.com/grizzlybear