Shows

Fleet Foxes are unmistakably, undeniably awesome. The mostly bearded, frequently-flannelled sextet (and occasionally septet) writes the kinds of songs (maybe even an octet sometimes) that people will still listen to (nonet?) in 50 years. Really incredible stuff. They burst out of Seattle in 2008 releasing both the Sun Giant EP and their superb, eponymous debut album. Taking control of the indie-folk world virtually overnight, the album enjoyed widespread critical success and Pitchfork gave them Album of the Year. It’s hard to wring any type of approval out of Pitchfork’s disdain-drenched reviewing process, so this accomplishment is particularly impressive. They just released their second album, Helplessness Blues.

A couple weeks ago I had the luxury of seeing them perform live. I went in with tempered excitement but emerged with my expectations completely blown away. I’d been very fond of them before, don’t get me wrong, but I’d never really worshiped them like some people do. After that show, I became a total devotee. I would give a kidney for this band. I also developed a bit of a man-crush on frontman Robin Pecknold. Not gonna try to deny that.

Seriously, they were a folk juggernaut on that stage. Big acoustic sound. Immaculate harmonies. Utterly unstoppable. Every dude in that band can sing his ass off. Their show was uplifting, overpowering, and sometimes quite haunting. They were able to make “Green apples hang from my green apple tree. / They belong only to, only to me” sound like the eeriest thing in the fucking world. It was an altogether captivating performance, helped by the fact that Robin Pecknold is one of the most endearingly humble people I’ve ever seen. No ego on that guy. Even though he’s very shy onstage, he has a unique charisma that makes him really interesting to watch.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Fleet Foxes, maybe more than anyone else I’ve posted on, require a couple listenings to really enjoy. If you’re not feelin it at first, I highly recommend that you give them a couple days, get to know the songs, etc. They’re worth your while if you give them some time.

Ragged Wood – Fleet Foxes

Montezuma – Fleet Foxes

He Doesn’t Know Why – Fleet Foxes

Blue Ridge Mountains – Fleet Foxes

Make sure to support Fleet Foxes’ music here.