Fleet Foxes -
Helplessness Blues (2011, Sub Pop)
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Helplessness Blues is an album about growing up. The first lyrics that Robin Pecknold sings on the album are
"Oh now that I am older
Than my mother and father
When they had their daughter
Now What does that say about me?"
Maybe its not talking about growing up, per se. It's about growing
old. It's a fear that we all have. We look at the lives around us and wonder: Am I going about all this wrong? Robin Pecknold's worry (or lack of worry) that he should have children at his age is probably something that we all have thought or are now beginning to think about. Or something else of that nature.
Helplessness Blues sounds older as well. It has a much more mature, almost adult contemporary sound to it. Many people have compared it to Simon and Garfunkel. Which in this case isn't a bad thing. The songs are more expansive and fleshed out compared to the band's self titled debut.
Helplessness Blues is a worthy successor to that album, and shows that Fleet Foxes, while maybe not the most groundbreaking band in terms of sound, have the ability to craft folk music as beautiful as any of their contemporaries.
Track 1: Montezuma
As I mentioned in the introduction to this review, this song works as a competent opening track. Begins slow and then picks up a harmony on the way. It may be obvious through my love of bands like Fleet Foxes that I am a sucker for harmonies. This song is almost completely carried by Pecknold's vocals, with only the harmonies and a soft guitar to keep it going. It threatens to break into a full song at times, but never quite meets that point. While this annoys me a little, this song really showcases Fleet Foxes ability to carry their music with just their voices, which is impressive.
Verdict 7/10
Track 2: Bedouin Dress
The first "song" on the album. Guitar takes a back seat again, but this time we have piano and some string instruments to add to the sound. Unlike the last song, this one relies mostly on the string section to carry its weight. Another strong song lyrically. "The borrower's debt is the only regret of my youth" I hear that Robin.
Verdict 8/10
Track 3: Sim Sala Bim
This is the first song we get with a real thematic shift. There is a couple songs on this album that do this, most of which are two part songs that are specified in the track name, with the exception of this one. The lyrics are intimate and feel very personal. What really makes this song is the musical breakdown at around 1:25. It works into a frenzy (or whatever you call the folk version of a frenzy). Something that you really didn't see on their previous work. It shows the amount of work they put into making this new album, and coming up with new ideas to keep the sound fresh.
Verdict 8/10
Track 4: Battery Kinze
The most pop oriented song on the album. As of right now my favorite song on the album as well. Robin feels the dual pain of heartbreak and bitter jealousy on this song. Something most of us can probably relate too. Even with the depressing lyricism, the song is surprisingly upbeat. Normally this contradiction would bother me, but not on this song.
Verdict 10/10
Track 5: The Plains / Bitter Dancer
The first of two more experimental, two part songs. The Plains is mostly instrumental, leading into Bitter Dancer. Or actually who knows. There is really three parts to this song. The last part is clasic Fleet Foxes, which makes up for the slightly dull earlier parts.
Verdict 7/10
Track 6: Helplessness Blues
Our titular track. This song could fit in with any 60's folk standard. Very relate-able lyrically. Well, at least to me. I think people do fall in love with the idea of simple work that is rewarding, ("If I had an orchard I'd work til I'm sore"). It is becoming apparent that an escape to a simpler life is something that many people strive for (not just me? I'm STUNNED). But I digress. A beautiful song all around.
Verdict 10/10
Track 7: The Cascades
Instrumental. Not bad. Nothing special (it must be becoming obvious that I value lyricism over instrumentalism by now)
Verdict: 6/10
Track 8: Lorelai
And speaking of lyricism! Oh how I love sad songs about girls. Maybe not the most exciting song, but wistful and delicate, which is good for a folk song.
Verdict: 9/10
Track 9: Someone You'd Admire
There isn't anything inherently wrong with this song. It's just boring compared to the other songs on this album. Feels plodding and almost like filler. Just ok.
Verdict: 5/10
Track 10: The Shrine / An Argument
This is the better of the two two parter songs. With Robin Pecknold's amazing voice, it's really amazing when he even shows a slight amount of emotion. This makes "The Shrine" a pretty awesome song. "An Argument" is just as strong. Very powerful and albeit being more slowly paced, is quite epic in its own right. It reaches into some very experimental territory as well, which is a nice change of pace.
Verdict 10/10
Track 11: Blue Spotted Tail
Very reminiscent of "Blackbird" by The Beatles. Sublime and intimate both lyrically and musically. This is folk music at it's best.
Verdict 9/10
Track 12: Grown Ocean
Great way to end an album. Although you could have easily switched the last two song. Upbeat and frantic. Another example of how their sound has grown on this album.
Verdict 9/10
Cohesiveness Score:
Could have switched the last two songs. Other than that no complaints.
Verdict 9/10
Final Score: 107/130 = 8.2
Final Thoughts
A competent album in it's own right, muddied by a few throwaway songs. They have managed to add new sounds to their already established style, while not losing what made their first album so great.
