NY Indy Band sets ambitions high, the result? Possibly the most satisfying album of the year so far…

 By Jason Hettinger

 
It’s ironic that the Brooklyn-based independent rock band Grizzly Bear named their latest album after an uninhabited island off the coast of Massachusetts. Ironic in the sense that the album Veckatimest is vibrant and full of life. Even the band’s name is slightly ironic, as the name Grizzly Bear conjures up images of a tough, hard, rocking, and, well, grisly sound. Instead the band sounds (and by looking at their pictures, also looks) rather artsy and intelligent.

Veckatimest is only Grizzly Bear’s third full-length album and certainly their most ambitious to date. Various genres are seamlessly blended together through the entire album, and it results in a very satisfying and unique sound. From folk-pop to doo-wop, or psychedelic to ethereal baroque harmonies, there is plenty of musical complexity and experimentation to satisfy true lovers of music.

Grizzly Bear lets the listener know how wide the album’s scope is in the lead track Southern Point – centered on a slinking bass line, it switches quickly into psychedelic folk-jazz with bustling acoustic guitars, piles of shimmering vocal harmonies, swishing drums, and various other sparkling sounds. The point of the track is to take the listener’s breath away immediately, and let them know exactly the kind of remarkable ride they’re about to take, and it works.

Within two tracks you know you are experiencing an extraordinary piece of art. After the breathtaking, disorientating punch-in-the-gut of “Southern Point,” Veckatimest picks the tempo up with the lead single of the album, “Two Weeks,” by far the catchiest song on Veckatimest. Plucky Regina Spektor-esque piano chords drive the song along, as the band effortlessly floats mesmerizing, blissful harmonies behind it. It is inevitable that “Two Weeks” will draw plenty of associations to early Beach Boys works, or even a more contemporary comparison to 2008 juggernaut Fleet Foxes. Some of the comparisons are warranted (and quite frankly, very favorable!) by the intricate attention to details and strict harmonies, but what sets Grizzly Bear apart is their sheer ambition to sound as simple as possible to casual listeners, but also find the complex musical niche they strive for.

Tracks such as “Fine for Now,” “Ready, Able,” and “I Live With You” are perfect examples of Grizzly Bear’s multifaceted strategy. Take any of those songs and you will find moments just about anyone will be able to identify with, be it a lyric, or any specific musical characteristic or sound. But as a whole, the songs are puzzles to be solved. Intricate arrangements and vague lyrics leave the listener to decipher exactly what point the band is trying to make.

It really is yet another irony of Veckatimest. The complex, intricate harmonies and instrumental arrangements are a severe contrast to the simple, imprecise, open-endedness of the lyrics. They will never be confused with the lyrics from Bob Dylan’s mid-60’s heyday, but at their best the lyrics are quite beautiful and most importantly, thought-provoking. The lyrics that I find most intriguing include the final almost chant-like segment that repeats at the end of the track “All We Ask” – I can’t get out of what I’m into with you – Another lyrical gem that I can’t seem to get out of my mind, from the track “Ready, Able”: I’m going to take a stab at this, surely it’ll be alright, make a decision with a kiss…five years and countless months all alone, hope I’m ready, able to make my own good home.

It’s clear that Grizzly Bear intended for Veckatimest to be listened to over and over. The album is a musical equivalent to a large buffet. There is something for everyone, there is a lot to digest, and you want to keep going back for seconds and possibly thirds. Grizzly Bear far exceeds any expectations with Veckatimest, and there is no doubt in my mind that in December, when looking back over the year 2009 in music, Veckatimest will still be highly regarded as one of the best, groundbreaking albums of the year.

Jason is a 24-year-old music lover who is proud to say that he works at KDEC-FM 100.5 as an “Ad-Guy.” You can also catch Jason on-air on FM 100.5 weekend afternoons or sometimes filling in for Tim or Jeni on the Morning Show. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email Jason at jason@kdecradio.com