It's a band for the bloggers, the independent film watchers and probably anyone who loves Jesse Eisenberg or Michael Cera. After all, Vampire Weekend did gain their popularity pre-album debut thanks to bloggers and rare-music hunters and since then, the band has been all over the indie music scene. Lead singer Ezra Koenig and company have swirled up quite a unique storm in popular music these days, bringing the likes of African pop music, classical strings and piano, ska, and funky drum beats through our headphones. Their sudden success came before their self titled debut album in 2008, with songs like “A-Punk” deserving awards like “Song Most Likely to get Stuck in Your Head”. Two years later, Vampire Weekend has returned with a stronger, more complex and organized album they call “Contra”. Though “Contra” lacks the catchy “Aye! Aye! Aye!” that consumed their first album, it still has a great likableness to it. Really, it has been best described as “charming.” Who doesn't love a little charm in their ears?
“Contra” opens with “Horchata,” a track mostly noted for its safari-like sound, and Ezra's fine ability to rhyme words with the title. Right off the bat, Vampire Weekend proves that they are not just another “indie” band, and though some may argue that a band like this who have yet to attract any imitators, there is an uncanny feel to the album that shouts originality at its most genuine form. “Holiday” is more of the VW we have heard before, with its bouncy, off-beat guitar and catchy melody. “California English” brings on all kinds of experimentation, packing all kinds of sound from strings, hurried drums, even some auto-tune. But Contra is not only for the ears. The lyrics Koenig sings are one's for the mind. Vampire Weekend is also a band for the thinkers, the reflective, and the relaxed.
The fast paced and string-filled “California English” not only brings a different take on Auto-Tune in American pop music, but it also has something to say. Ezra sings, “Blasted from a disconnected light switch/ Through the condo that they’ll never finish/ Bounced across a Saudi satellite dish/ And through your brain to California English,” painting the picture of a life perhaps taken for granted and easily overlooked. Ezra is trying to tell us something here; perhaps there is some sort of decline in the value people find in themselves and more so in the way they are perceived by others. “And if it’s all a curse /And we’re just getting worse /Baby, please don’t lose your faith in the good earth.”
Perhaps the most relatable song on the album is “Run,” a simple synth based tune with lyrics that could be found in practically anyone's diary at some point in life. Hasn’t everyone had that “stuck” feeling? That feeling that “there’s nowhere else to go?” But, just as hopeful and happy-go-lucky as Vampire Weekend sounds, the lyrics also put a silver lining along the darker meaning behind the words; “But changing roles /It struck me that the two of us could run /Worlds away from cars /And all the stars and bars /Where a little bit of condensation means so much /And a little bit of change is all your little fingers touch.” Ezra’s charm practically pours through the speakers.
The rest of the album is just as charming. “Cousins,” the first single off the album, is fast. “Giving up the Gun” is probably the most pop oriented of them all, hand in hand with words of hope and encouragement for better days and strength.”Diplomats Son” is one of VW's longer songs, just past 6 minutes, dipping into a reggae-esque, mellowed out sound, even sampling M.I.A's “Hussel”. And it just wouldn't be right if this charismatic album didn't end with a romantically charismatic song. “I Think UR a Contra” is a mixture of confusion and relaxation all wrapped in one.
Overall, “Contra” is a nice change of pace. It's satisfying in that it brings new to the American music table. These boys are shining light on the lesser known music style of the world, similar to a young Peter Gabriel. It flows, and if you are a sucker for thought provoking and interesting lyrics, Ezra and friends have just what you may be looking for. In short? Imagine Paul Simon, Michael Cera, McCartney (mid-60's Beatles Lennon and McCartney) all in one room, telling visually colorful stories whilst playing old Atari games, and watching Animal Planet. You may very well begin to hear “Contra” floating in your ear drums. Here, Vampire Weekend seemed to have gathered weird, sweet, and smart all into 36 minutes of decent listening material.
