User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 598 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 404 out of 598
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Mixed: 82 out of 598
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Negative: 112 out of 598
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ThorKJan 12, 2010Hmmmm... I'm kind of confused as to why this has such a low user rating. I find this to be an absolutely excellent album, better than their first if pretty much every aspect. Some standout tracks would be "Horchata," "White Sky," "California English," "Run," and "Diplomat's Son." I loved their first LP and am enjoying this one even more.
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LucasZJan 13, 2010While you could say the first album was a 'perfect album' they should've tried something new with the second album and they did and it's pretty damn fantastic.
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BenjaminTJan 13, 2010Excellent album. they are the most distinctive band around. run,horchata, and diplomat's son are my favourite songs. don't miss their sophomore. you may not find hits compared to their debut but you can easily find your own hits in "contra"
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FrankieGunJan 13, 2010Not as good as debut, but it grows after every listening i love Run and Giving up the Gun. i dont understand why they chose that first single as it has nothing to do with the rest of the album and its the most "normal" song
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VaVeganJan 13, 2010Didn't knock me out like first album, bur still solid. Needs more of that great drumming from the first record.
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DavidFJan 14, 2010An extremely solid debut that retains their sound while still expanding on it. On repeated listens I learned to love the progressing sound and the ferocity of the songs, even in the more subtle tracks like "Taxi Cab" and "Diplomat's Son." It's a definite grower if you give it more than one opportunity.
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NickRJan 15, 2010While coming off sounding a but like "Vampire Weekend Remixed", the original New England charm manages to keep itself from becoming straight up quirk by the use of some great harmonies and bouncy musical devices.
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ToddGJan 15, 2010Excellent sophomore album that gets better after each listen. If you got into the sound on the first album this isn't a huge departure yet a solid album.
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SteveJan 15, 2010It's technically solid, more so than their first album, but something is missing. Also, did not like their use of auto-tune, even if it's meant to be a joke.
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BrianEJan 16, 2010Just simply superb pop music. This is just a fun album and it has stripped away some of the pretension of their debut.
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herveLJan 17, 2010I would give it a 20 if i could. Contra is so good, inventive and generous you want to dance, sing, laugh at the same time. probably one of the most important band now opening the decade with one of the best album. Chapeau.
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ChadS.Jan 29, 2010
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eastsideJan 12, 2010
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RobertCJan 12, 2010
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JohnWJan 12, 2010Why such low user comments? oh your still stuck on KE$HA and other pop shit right? This album is perfect! wake up to what real music is or have you been in the smog of crappy music for so long you dont know what good music is anymore?
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DaneHJan 12, 2010I dont get why this is getting such bad user ratings. I think it is a stronger album than their first. Whilst not as immediate as the first, the songs seem more complex, and for that, will make the album more enjoyable to listen to down the trackl
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JayPJan 13, 2010Not as catchy as their first album, but I feel it's a more mature second album over all it's a "B" effort.
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LukeW.Jan 13, 2010Although not nearly as immediate as their first offering, all these songs are huge growers. you'll be tapping your foot to the skittering beats (this is seriously one innovative if not overly showy drummer) and choppy and swirly electronic sounds in no time.
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ChrisWojoJan 13, 2010This is a great follow-up for Vampire weekends first CD. Their originality comes through on each song and they are as clever as they have ever been. But, we need more songs next time guys!
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DougDJan 14, 2010
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JoshBJan 14, 2010"Contra" has been on repeat for me ever since I got it on Tuesday. Yes, the first album was more instantly catchy, but this one is just as addictive and compulsively listenable. I keep singing "He was a diplomat's suh-uh-uh-un / he was eighty-wu-uh-un" over and over again. It's really a great grower if you just keep listening! Good early candidate for Best of 2010.
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MattHJan 15, 2010I must be hearing this band differently than others because I disagree with the consensus that this is good but worse than their debut. In every way, this sounds to my ears like the confident delivery of what was, to this point, merely potential.
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TriciaSJan 16, 2010This album is a very good one. Perhaps not as good as their first, but songs like "Cousins" and "Diplomat's Son" are as good as "A-Punk" or "Oxford Comma". I take this album for what it is: a very good sophomore effort.
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KatieYJan 17, 2010Vampire Weekend is a great band! Their music is always unpredictable, they always have cool beats and dynamic lyrics! Get CONTRA NOW!
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bmanJan 19, 2010While the majority of people I'm sure won't agree with this; I think it's slightly better than their debut. It's a little more colorful and they explore a greater range of sounds. The tremolo pick in 'Cousins' is a complete ripoff of 'Thunderstruck'.
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TobyHJan 21, 2010
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GarethR.Jan 20, 2010Great album, I'm already looking forward to the next one.
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AntonisZ.Jan 24, 2010This is the most entertaining album I have heard in a couple years! It's really surprising as the Vampire Weekend's previous releases weren't among my faves. It's such a wonderful album, I am addicted listening to it from beginning to the end non-stop. This album will be classic in the years to come. A real and hugely entertaining masterpiece!
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AlexV.Jan 24, 2010Positive and catchy songs. Pleasure to listen.
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GlennW.Jan 25, 2010
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JMJan 31, 2010At least Ray W. and Mr. T gave it a fair and objective listen. The ratings on this albums are an example of why I never go by user reviews 101.
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TimHFeb 2, 2010Listening to this one a lot, so it must be good!
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JosephJan 12, 2010I agree that VW's follow-up isn't as immediate as their debut. But give it several listens, letting the songs sink in. The songs sound bigger, more confident. The most impressive aspect is that VW have shown that they can evolve their sound and still deliver another batch of excellent songwriting.
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TomP.Jan 12, 2010
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PapaBoxJan 12, 2010They're taking chances. They're expanding their palette. They still make great pop songs. Why are people hating this? I don't like preppy fashion either, but why should they pretend to be someone else? Get some taste.
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ForrestWJan 12, 2010Although the music may not seem as fresh as their first album upon first listen, when further inspected, Contra is more finely crafted and interesting than their first record and an incredibly fun listen.
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AlexR.Jan 12, 2010Amazing. I am a huge fan of their first album, and Contra expands on their style then while still keeping the same spirit. I would highly recommend lead singer Ezra Koenig's tongue-tying autotuned vocals in "California English", the upbeat "Holiday", and the M.I.A. sampling "Diplomat's Son". All great stuff on the album.
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KennethFJan 12, 2010
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MatthewGJan 13, 2010A great album that improves from the already awesome debut album, with the only misstep being "Diplomat's Son."
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BradP.Jan 13, 2010Nice follow-up to the first one. Boatloads of wordplay soaked in African rhythms and snarky East Coast College attitude. Not warm and fuzzy, but varied, entertaining and fun.
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KevinM.Jan 13, 2010This album is not as good as their first. However, it is very, very good. Holiday, California English, and Giving Up the Gun are personal favorites. Their sound is incredible. If you liked Wolfgang Amadeus by Phoenix, you'll like this.
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NicholasMJan 14, 2010It's definitely a grower, but it's thoroughly amazing by the third or fourth lesson.
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KevinS.Jan 14, 2010Not as great as their debut album, but still a pretty amazing one. They don't stray far from their signature sound that won all of us over two years ago. A great way to start off the music of 2010!
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PaulSJan 14, 2010Great Album with inventive beats and short guitar rhythms. They have very catchy lyrics and they use the synth a lot more in this music. The 1st album is better though. People who gave this album a bad review seem like they have not listened to the whole thing.
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JoeH.Jan 23, 2010Not as solid as the debut - still pretty unique and worth repeated listens.
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Aug 11, 2010It is not as fun as their first album, and some of the songs are downright frustrating. 'Contra' is, however, a creative and catchy album that serves as a worthy sophomore effort.
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Dec 26, 2010My favorite album of the year. Richer than their first and a great mixing of playful originality with accessibility. Haters, go back to listening to Motley Crue, then, or Battles, then, whatever your thing is. This is my kind of thing.
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Sep 3, 2010Definitely more of a "grower" than their first. Songs like White Sky and Diplomat's Son make it well worth the invested time, though. All the haters on here seem to be comparing them to other artists, but they're unique. They're not trying to be Paul Simon. That's what makes them so great and also apparently what bothers those who want a category to lump them in.
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Oct 6, 2013
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Oct 6, 2010One of the few albums I can listen to without changing track. It's far better than their first LP. "near-perfection"? What kinda music are you listening to?, coz it must be terrible.
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Nov 5, 2010It isn't as consistently good as their first album, but this is still worth buying, it has a couple standout songs. I like that they didn't completely abandon what brought them initial success.
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May 25, 2011
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Nov 27, 2010"Contra" features many interesting catchy tracks like "Cousins", "Giving Up the Gun", "Horchata" and "Holiday". Maybe your children below age of ten may like this because it is so childlike, and maybe it'll be pass down to the next few generations too. Ezra Koenig & co. really know how to play funky music with their drums, guitars and keyboards.
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Jan 16, 2011Having despised their first album, I had no idea I would love Contra as much as I do. But Vampire Weekend has managed to take everything I hated about their debut and turned it into a much more likable sound.
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Oct 15, 2011Vampire Weekend's playfulness from their debut album continues delightfully on "Contra". Although one may feel that they're rehashing some of the formulas they captured the first time around, they have vitality and inspiration all the way through. Highlights, as "Holiday", are songs you'll be humming long after you've turned off the record.
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Feb 1, 2011
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Nov 12, 2011Not nearly as good as their self titled debut album, but still fantastic non the less. The only tracks that didn't catch my fancy very much were California English and Run, otherwise, the album is pitch perfect. VW returns with their fun, upbeat, and unique sound.
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Jul 31, 2011this album was excellent. the singing and songwriting were good. the album showcases their musical ability. and they are fantastic. white sky and taxi cab are great songs. diplomat's son as also a winner
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Jul 1, 2011
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Jul 8, 2011I think that this album contains any magic effect on me, when i listen songs like diplomat's son (a relly fantastic song). Cousins, Horchata, Holiday and Giving up the gun offers diversity into his own style and interpretation of music. A beautiful continuation o his debut album.
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Jan 30, 2012The album Contra definitely builds off of it's predecessor (Vampire Weekend), but it is still kind of bland in some areas.
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Sep 9, 2011"Contra" had the problem of impossible expectations. Fans want this, they want that.. and if they don't get it it's WW3. Not only does "Contra" do whatever the **** it wants, but it does it fantastically and with the same effortless poise and class at their landmark debut.
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Nov 3, 2011Very fun album, although you have to let it grow on you. Vampire Weekend's self-titled album is still better than this one, though. A little softer and more relaxed then their first album.
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Oct 2, 2019
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Jan 7, 2012
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Jun 19, 2013
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Mar 8, 2013The first one was better. The amount of good songs to bland songs is kinda even. Nothing horrible either, idk, why there is so much hate to this band, but oh well.
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Nov 18, 2012Just as good as the first. To me, it feels like they got the good things in their eponymous debut album and mixed it with electronic aspects, creating something even more unique.
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Oct 7, 2013A solid showing after the brilliant self-titled album. Contra isn't always right on the money, but more often than not the songs will grow on you, and you'll be a huge fan of the album in time. Vampire Weekend experiments a bit more in this album, but sticks to their sound, and they pull it off. Not as good as Vampire Weekend, but just as good in it's own way. A solid album from Vampire Weekend!
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Jul 10, 2013The second album has really great songs throughout! I really liked their first album and Contra definitely doesnt disappoint! My fave tracks on the album: White Sky, California English, Cousins
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Nov 25, 2013
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Dec 25, 2013One of my favourite albums of the 21st century. It combines their upbeat, feel good music with a distinct African vibe. Very well written and composed, I highly recommend this.
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Jan 15, 2015Contra feels spontaneous but precisely methodical, joyful but profoundly melancholic, frenetic but sensible, free-spirited but analytical, and old but also brand and originally new. It's not a cohesive group of sounds we haven't already heard before: it's way much worked and mature. It has maximized Vampire Weekend's intentions and power to another frontier. It's outstanding!
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Jan 23, 2014Contra is a bright, bold, fun and exciting 2nd album from Vampire Weekend, where there aren't really any bad songs at all, and no rough patches. This is a clean, and limitless nearby masterpiece.
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Mar 30, 2014My favorite album of all time. This is a true masterpiece. Vampire Weekend perfects their style that was revealed to us with their debut. I can't even give a standout song because they're all flawless and perfect. Everybody who's in to indie rock, alternative, or even trying to get into alternative, owe it to themselves to hear this. A true masterpiece.
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Mar 5, 2015This album is just as amazing as the first and third. With fantastic songs like Diplomat's Son, and some of Vampire Weekend's more popular tracks like Holiday and Cousins, there's no way someone could deny this album's glowing perfection!
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May 24, 2015
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Dec 26, 2015This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Oct 23, 2016I think that a music in this album is the best that i ever heard in my entire life, Taxi Cab is the one Vampire Weekend is a must listen for sure! They made my music life a better life!
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Apr 24, 2018All right, I may have actually planned to give this a 9, but the user score is too low. There are some tracks that don't quite hit the mark but more than half of the songs are essentially perfect indie pop. The Caribbean sounding influence really makes this album special (in a very, very good way)
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Feb 9, 2021
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Jun 16, 2021Esse já me pegou bem mais que o primeiro. Ele tem vibe mais "dançante" com letras mais realistas pra mim e temas mais universais. Achei a produção no geral mais interessantes tbm, lenta e animada quando precisa ser mas sem perca pela simplicidade e melodia extremamente contagiante se destaca muito
Awards & Rankings
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Contra establishes that his band has chosen another path, celebrating the world's contradictions, contraindications, and contradistinctions with a new pop sound made up of old pop sounds that aren't the same old pop sounds.
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Contra is a solidly entertaining, well-constructed album, and if people take to it, the tendency to mock the band will, I think, fade, simply because it doesn't have obviously unfashionable moments to feel uneasy about.
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If Vampire Weekend was Rushmore, Contra is their Royal Tenenbaums: brainy, confident and generally awesome.