Helplessness Blues is the Fleet Foxes’ sophomore effort, following their self-titled debut, released in 2008. Fleet Foxes was received to critical and commercial acclaim, putting pressure on the Seattle-based six-piece to deliver a solid follow-up, and not fall trap to the “sophomore slump” that has afflicted so many others.
Sounds Like:
Fleet Foxes focus on strengths, continue honing 60s folk/rock/psychadelic sound and signature harmonies
Though there are numerous reasons promising bands fall victim to the sophomore slump (writing to a different audience, being too adventurous/not enough, etc.), Fleet Foxes stick to, and improve on, their initial strengths, while still creating an album distinctly different from its predecessor. While front man Robin Pecknold seemed more like the first-chair of a chorus on Fleet Foxes, Pecknold’s vocals take even more precedence on Helplessness Blues (though not diminishing the roles of the other vocalists). This is not too surprising, as many of the songs on this album were written by Pecknold for his solo appearances while touring with Joanna Newsome. Helplessness Blues also showcases the band’s growth musically; while the band’s use of complex harmonies remains strong, more of the album’s songs are driven instrumentally, allowing for unique moments, such as the dueling guitar and mandolin on “Sim Sala Bim.”
Key Tracks:
Montezuma, Sim Sala Bim, Battery Kinzie, Helplessness Blues, Lorelai, Grown Ocean
An undulating electric guitar and Pecknold’s lone voice greet the listener on “Montezuma,” the album’s opener. Lyrically, Pecknold takes no time cutting to the chase of one of the album’s themes of questioning oneself compared to one’s expectations (“So now I am older than my mother and father / when they had their daughter / now what does that say about me”). The very name of the track, “Montezuma,” conjures up thoughts of the past, ancient beliefs, etc., which is interesting, considering this track could be considered the most Fleet Foxes-sounding track on the album. Pecknold & Co. harmonize like a gospel choir over minimal instrumentation, even a capella for a verse or two. “Bedouin Dress,” driven by a lively strummed acoustic guitar and funky fiddle hook, is as as fun as the title would apply. “Sim Sala Bim,” which tells the dark story of a man’s life crumbling before him, starts with a soft acoustic guitar riff and builds into a raucous, body-shaking guitar-mandolin duel. “Battery Kinzie” is an upbeat sounding song, while Pecknold & Co. sing about a “wide eye wanderer” creeping around the neighborhood. “The Plains / Bitter Dancer,” plays out in three parts and proves again the vocal talents of the Fleet Foxes: initially painting a dark, bleak picture, only to completely shake things up as the song shifts gears to driving, bright vocals to close the song.
Best Lyric:
I was raised up believing / I was somehow unique / like a snowflake, distinct among / snowflakes. Unique in each way / You’d conceive. - “Helplessness Blues”
The album’s title track, “Helplessness Blues,” is a standout. Playing out in two parts, Pecknold first questions finding one’s function and place in a complex society over a frantically building frenzy of heavily strummed guitars and harmonized vocals. This wave inevitably crashes into a cascade of heavily reverbed guitar arpegios, while Pecknold & Co. sing an elegiac tune, fantasizing a life on an orchard. “The Cascades” is a two-minute instrumental, featuring a variety of string and wind instruments. “Lorelai” is driven by J. Tillman’s percussion work, while the numerous guitars, and church-bell-mimicking vocals create an all around solid song. “Someone You’d Admire” takes a more minimalist approach, as the song features the vocalists accompanied by a lone acoustic guitar. “The Shrine / An Agreement” is another multi-part song (clocking in at over eight minutes), but is no less enjoyable. “Blue Spotted Tail” is much more subdued compared to the rest of the album, featuring only Pecknold’s vocals over lightly picked acoustic guitar. The album closes with “Grown Ocean,” another epic song, ranging from aggressive, driving guitars, eventually closing on a cappella vocals, a metaphorical stamp of the band.
Music Video for “Grown Ocean”
Helplessness Blues is Fleet Foxes’ declaration of victory over the “sophomore slump” boogie man. This album will more than likely appear on numerous “Best of 2011” lists, and deservedly so. Pecknold’s improved songwriting, combined with the band’s musical strengths, creates some great moments. Fleet Foxes are able to create numerous unique sounds that never feel tired or fall short. This is a great album for fans of the first album, or anyone else for that matter.
Overall Rating:
