Campus Connection

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

This band from New York University saw their jump to popularity the way fame is achieved these days--through the internet, of course. Their Ivy League past (the band members met at Columbia) is evident not only in their style, but also in their clever, playful lyrics. This album has been compared with Paul Simon’s Graceland, as the whole album revolves around African rhythms paired with bright and catchy tunes, but Vampire Weekend has a more tongue-in-cheek style than Paul Simon did. Some people have also compared them to the Talking Heads, even though I find them more comparable to bands like the Housemartins, with their pleasant, upbeat, and short tunes. Overall, they are a breeze of fresh air in an indie scene that has grown increasingly predictable, and they are definitely a band whose success is worth following.

When to listen to: anytime.

When not to listen to: while hanging out with your Goth friends or in front of people who get upset about cultural appropriations (bringing to mind that Australian dark rocker Nick Cave once referred to Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne, as a “cultural vulture” for mixing exotic rhythms from a variety of cultures).

A song to hear: “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” would be the obvious choice, but I’ll recommend “Walcott” to be original. Its great use of strings and tone makes it a perfect soundtrack for a road trip.  

Burial - Untrue

This somber electronic album is the second release from the anonymous creator of Burial. What you get here is an exponent of a style of music that has been coined “dubstep,” an insistent bass and fast beats triggered sporadically under a dark, dense atmosphere. Untrue never drifts away from such premises, making it a hypnotic, albeit repetitive, record. The lamenting voices that are triggered throughout the tracks add to the melancholy of the album and manage to create a distinct aesthetic of funerary disillusion. The fact that not a lot changes between tracks can be tiresome, and therefore Untrue may not be suitable for everyone.

When to listen to: preferably after having taken your dose of Prozac.

When not to listen to: celebratory parties, while doing rigorous exercise, among fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A song to hear: On the track “In McDonald’s” a girl sings, “Once upon a time it was you I adored,” and a male voice replies, “You look different”. It reminds me of the poignant simplicity of the French poet Jacques Prévert when writing about conflicted couples.

Liars - Liars

This is simple, in-your-face rock that combines some of the best tricks of past bands and delivers them effectively and unpretentiously. Guitar sounds emerge here and there with some hints of glam rock while their heavy, dark bass is reminiscent of the Joy Division. Coupled with the raw appeal of Velvet Underground and a touch of the vocals and drums of Primal Scream, Liars is a fun, if not extremely original, journey.

When to listen to: while drinking heavily in a motorcycle bar or while driving through the desert (as depicted in their Plaster Casts of Everything video, available on youtube).

When not to listen to: the morning after drinking heavily in a motorcycle bar.

A song to hear: “Plaster Casts of Everything.” The screaming vocals in the background conjure images of a peyote-crazed tribal ceremony, making this one of the best tracks on the album.

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