Kasey and Matthew are presently enjoying their honeymoon. Unidentified sources indicate they will be rehearsing for the wedding today. In light of these circumstances, today’s post is essentially a new and improved re-run: not at all unlike re-releasing old films in Technicolor. If you liked it before, you’ll love it now. P.S. Completely new posts will resume in October!
~~~~
Originally posted in April of 2008, this post was originally a “preview” of what I expected to be one of the best albums of the year: Veckatimest, which was subsequently released on May 26, and was the third (and hands down the best) full length by Brooklyn based band Grizzly Bear. In fact, the odds remain exceptionally high that this is the album I’ll select of my choice for album of the year come year end. Veckatimest is named after an uninhabited island just off the coast of Massachusetts, and was an interesting choice for the album which is earthy, bright and rich; an abstract examination of relationships. Sonically, it is an appropriate pairing for Kasey’s carrot soup with truffle oil.
The album’s second cut, “Two Weeks,” is a sunny pop song featuring a ghostly, wordless backing chorus flowing around an infectious piano melody. The lurching but upbeat, “Fine For Now,” like many of the other tracks on the album, is simultaneously reminiscent of numerous 60’s era pop tunes, although primarily contemporary in its composition. It is like taking that entire decade’s best pop-rock songs and forcing them through a sonic-prism with the effect of separating genre motifs into fuzzy, ill-defined parts that nonetheless appear cohesive. “Ready, Able” is another highlight: an ethereal, dreamy tune that alternates between an anxious energy and a lazy flow. And while the entire album is decadently lush, other notable highlights include “All We Ask,” “Cheerleader,” the lovely album-closer “Foreground,” and my choice for track of the year-“While You Wait For The Others.” Buy a copy at Insound.
Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader
The Hood Internet – Two Weeks of Hip Hop (Grizzly Bear vs. Dead Prez)
Head back to eating/sf to read Kasey’s Curried Carrot Soup with Truffle Oil recipe.
