This year Fleet Foxes dropped their sophomore effort Helplessness Blues, a follow up to their much lauded and acclaimed self-titled 2008 full length debut. This was definitely an anticipated album on the whole, and an interesting one as well because in the time between the release of their first album and the release of this one there have been a seemingly endless stream of bands in the new indie/folk vein lately, and it would be interesting to see how Fleet Foxes, one of the forerunners on the popularity of this movement, would fare with so many similar-sounding bands out there now. Fortunately the answer is that these guys still have it. There is a unique sound to both the instrumentation of this band as well as Pecknold’s voice that gives them a unique quality that just makes a lot of these songs work really well. I don’t think any other band out there today in this sort of indie/folk arena has the same combination of talent and creativity that really allows these guys to explore different areas of the genres that many others cannot. While it is still somewhat trapped in the conventions of the genre to a small extent, this is still a very strong record that is right up there with their debut and shows the band’s ability to evolve and elevate this genre as few other bands do.
The real overarching unique factor of what makes this band special is some combination of the interesting arrangements of the songs as well as Robin Pecknold’s voice. The strength of his voice is even more evident on this record, and with so many similar sounding bands out there, it is really clear how strong of a vocalist he is compared to every one else on this record. The band has also really brought together a much more diverse set of songs on this album than on the debut, which is great because that was my primary complaint about the first album, was that it seemed too much a genre record. This album is still a genre record, but they do a much better job of finding some more interesting nooks and crannies of the songs to explore to make it a much more interesting experience.
They once again strike a good balance between folksy ballads and more upbeat, triumphant songs. Where the two styles meet and interesect is where you really see some of the strongest results, most specifically with the title track “Helplessness Blues” and with the album closer “Grown Ocean”, which are two of the strongest songs the band has ever done. There is much more of a tapestry of sound on this record and the band manages to really create something a lot more vivid with many of the same instruments this time around. There are some more unique arrangements that make it really an interesting listen. They even delve into instrumental territory with the short but sweet “The Cascades”. Songs like “Bedouin Dress” have a slightly off-kilter sound to them but they work both with the band’s trademark harmonies as well as some more fleshed out production to create some really interesting sounds.
The band has not strayed too far from their well-beaten path on this record in a larger sense, but they have managed to kind fo twist and turn a lot of the conventions they have used before to repurpose them for some interesting new sounds and ideas. This is a much more confident and accomplished effort from the band, and really sounds like an album that is a complete picture and a complete work from the band, much moreso than their debut. The band manages to really shine on several tracks, and to take the album in some interesting directions on others. The subtlety of how they explore the different sides of the album is what makes it an intersting lesson and it is also a sign of the band maturing very strongly from where they were on their self-titled debut. While there may be a ton of bands coming up in the indie/folk scene, Fleet Foxes show on this album why they were special and notable in the first place, and once again place themselves at the forefront of that scene.
“Helplessness Blues” by Fleet Foxes from Helplessness Blues
“Grown Ocean” by Fleet Foxes from Helplessness Blues
“Bedouin Dress” by Fleet Foxes from Helplessness Blues
