Sun Giant is an EP by Seattle-based band Fleet Foxes, released onFebruary 25, 2008. Along ... more
with their self-titled debut album, SunGiant was named the #1 album of the year by Pitchfork. While the EPwas released prior to their debut album, Fleet Foxes, th...
Advantages: Original baroque style folk/rock, groundbreaking album Disadvantages: Originality can challenge some people's mainstream tastes
Wescott
Craig Curran
The fleetFoxes first came into view back in 2006 when they were gaining some success off of their MYSPACE page (infact they got over quarter of miliion hits in 2 months!). Obviously this raised a few eyebrows (not to mention a few dollar signs were lighting up in some record producers eyes) so they signed an album deal with Warner Music. Up until this point, the band had only gained exposure via MYSPACE but were certainly gaining a healthy reputation within the music industry.
In 2008 the band released the hit EP "SunGiant" which propelled them forwards and was followed up with the release of the album after their name sake "Fleetfoxes".
THE ALBUM
SONG 1 SUN IT RISES
I like the start of the album because you are immediately familiarised with the fleetfoxes sound. A five piece harmony opens up the song ...
Advantages: Unique, relaxing Disadvantages: Must be tried more than once to be appreciated
After hearing Mykonos (from SunGiant EP) on a compilation playlist, I decided to buy the FleetFoxes album. After one full listen I wasn't sure what to make of it. After all, there wasn't much to dislike about the gentle and harmonious choral singing and the soothing melodies. However, there wasn't much to get excited about either.
Then after a few more listens, that feeling of homeliness and familiarity soon took hold of me. There is something uniquely reassuring about FleetFoxes' music that echoes the sounds of authentic music from bygone eras. They are one of those bands that don't quite belond anywhere. The day you see them in the charts will probably be the day when groups such as 'Girls Aloud' might actually play instruments and sing in tune on live performances. So basically we will probably never see that day. But, that is ...
Advantages: Original, timeless, good songwiting, original approach to arrangement and performance Disadvantages: In my experience , none
FleetFoxes - FleetFoxes
Firstly I am quite surprised at the fact this hasn't been reviewed yet as the band and the record are becoming quite successful now. And rightfully so.
FF are one of those rare bands who wear their influences proudly on their sleeve, yet amount to so much more than the sum of (their parent's) record collection. The most obvious comparisons would be mid period Beach Boys, Crosby Stills and Nash, Simon and Garfunkel and traditional folk music. FleetFoxes brilliance lies in the fact that they have been able to draw something fresh, vital and at times breathtaking out of these old influences. The band take an unconventional approach to arranging and performing their songs, which is beautifully at odds with conventional pop and rock. Take recent single 'White Winter Hymnal': one verse repeated, sung in canon ...
![I'm Not Dead [PA] - Pink](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/580/prod_small-6397580.jpg)
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
