Fleet Foxes
by Fleet Foxes
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2008
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 309 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 274 out of 309
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 309
  3. Negative: 18 out of 309

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  1. DF.
    Jun 6, 2008
    10
    This album gets better and better with each listen. Even though there are obvious splashes of CSNY, The Zombies, and Simon & Garfunkel, it never sounds like a rip-off and is always fresh and original. Easily in my top five favorite albums this year, and very easily could make the top mark. It's that good.
  2. GarrettH
    Jun 9, 2008
    10
    I can't think of a bad thing to say about it.
  3. Patrick
    Aug 20, 2008
    10
    The most impressive debut I've heard in 15 years or more. This music has reinvigorated a joy for music in me that I haven't felt in the mp3 era.
  4. LeonardoS.
    Aug 4, 2008
    10
    A wonderful album, from start to finish. Intricate, thoughtful, haunting at times, and always eminently listenable. I know it's high praise to say that listening to this album can set the tone and change the mood of a period in one's life, but I don't feel it's an exaggeration to claim this in the case of Fleet Foxes. This album (and the band's earlier EP, Sun A wonderful album, from start to finish. Intricate, thoughtful, haunting at times, and always eminently listenable. I know it's high praise to say that listening to this album can set the tone and change the mood of a period in one's life, but I don't feel it's an exaggeration to claim this in the case of Fleet Foxes. This album (and the band's earlier EP, Sun Giant) have helped define my summer, and I will likely be enjoying this album for many, many months to come. Such a well-crafted album is hard to come by these days.… Expand
  5. DavidS
    Jun 8, 2009
    10
    Instantly became one of my most favorite albums, but it's not for everybody since some people don't feel "cool" listening to folk-ish music the only problem i see with this band is, well, can they really make an album better than this one? i doubt it.
  6. JonathanY
    Nov 14, 2008
    10
    This record is so good!!! The vocal harmonies and instrumentation go so well together. Bordering on life-changing!
  7. KellyC.
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    Hands down the best CD of the year so far. Pick up the Sun Giant EP too - both are excellent.
  8. SeanL.
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    Far and away the most breathtaking thing I've heard in a long time. The sound of every instrument is absolutely perfect, when each element is added it's heart stopping. The vocals are unbelievable, their harmonies are perfect. But I'm gonna have to say that it's Robin Pecknold's vocals that make these songs so stunning (and I'm not usually someone that is Far and away the most breathtaking thing I've heard in a long time. The sound of every instrument is absolutely perfect, when each element is added it's heart stopping. The vocals are unbelievable, their harmonies are perfect. But I'm gonna have to say that it's Robin Pecknold's vocals that make these songs so stunning (and I'm not usually someone that is grabbed by singing, I usually like them lower on the mix) the subtle reverb and everything down to how things are pronounced by him is just perfect. Go buy this album asap along with sun giant, I can't see people disliking this record and I for one can't wait to hear what these guys do next!… Expand
  9. Mo
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    This might be the best album of the year. Lush landscapes and texture. It's a different state of mind.
  10. MatthewW.
    Jul 10, 2008
    10
    If you don't like this, I don't like you.
  11. RobB.
    Jul 5, 2008
    10
    The album of the year. Incredible harmonies, beautiful melodies all in its very own world.
  12. RaymondH.
    Aug 3, 2008
    10
    This album moves you!!! That is all I can say! You must just listen to it to understand.
  13. IsaacQ
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    This album captivates the mind and soul. Congratulations Fleet Foxes, you've made it into my chosen few of all time favorite artists and with but a single album.
  14. GerryB
    Sep 11, 2008
    10
    One of the best albums I've ever heard and I am a massive music fan aged 41. Sublime and profound.
  15. RiceKrispiesDave
    Oct 4, 2009
    10
    Joe Blow you should go Blow a Joe, 'cause this album is great.
  16. marko
    Sep 25, 2009
    10
    Joe blow = typical pretentious opinion i'm glad there are at least some people who listen to the music for the music, not to be as obscure as possible to bolster their hipster cred.
  17. BrianE
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    A glorious synthesis of Smile-era Brian Wilson and forest folk. Bold in its scope, but achingly perfect in its sound and economy. Melodies are extended and rerouted in ways that are surprising and satisfying. An album with the creative heft to be considered one of the year's best.
  18. BenS.
    Jun 19, 2008
    10
    This is and will be the best album of 2008. Easily.
  19. JamesB.
    Jun 20, 2008
    10
    The melodies. The guitar work. The harmonies. I'm practically speechless. Album of the year, so far!
  20. SamF.
    Jun 22, 2008
    10
    Sub Pop has found another indie gem in the pacific northwest. Fleet Foxes' thick harmonies and foggy-mountain sound coupled with Ek's production create the best album of 2008 thus far. This record is jam-packed with melodies that whisk you away to a log cabin somewhere tucked away in the mountains. I strongly recommend this album, the best record that has come out in a very long time.
  21. DrewS.
    Jun 25, 2008
    10
    Amazing. Best album I've heard in a long time.
  22. LeerLogic
    Jun 30, 2008
    10
    wow... I am listening to the album for the first time right now and almost finished. This is truly amazing stuff for some reason. I never LOVE an album after 1 listen most of the time these days. It is also important to say i hardly ever listen to stuff like this, I usually go for different things, anything soft is usually like dead meadow or explosions in the sky. Very original to me, wow... I am listening to the album for the first time right now and almost finished. This is truly amazing stuff for some reason. I never LOVE an album after 1 listen most of the time these days. It is also important to say i hardly ever listen to stuff like this, I usually go for different things, anything soft is usually like dead meadow or explosions in the sky. Very original to me, captivating, beautiful, I have to tell about it.… Expand
  23. AdamE.
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    One of the Best Albums Of 2008! A complete masterpiece!
  24. SteveO
    Jun 7, 2008
    10
    There aren't many records on Metacritic I give 10's, in fact the only other two I can think of right now are Radiohead's "In Rainbows" which of course deserves it and She & Him's "Volume One" which reminds me of Joanie Mitchell. "Fleet Foxes" is amazing stuff. Just look at the reviews and you'll see why. Soaring vocal harmonies, hooky, folky melodies, and epic, There aren't many records on Metacritic I give 10's, in fact the only other two I can think of right now are Radiohead's "In Rainbows" which of course deserves it and She & Him's "Volume One" which reminds me of Joanie Mitchell. "Fleet Foxes" is amazing stuff. Just look at the reviews and you'll see why. Soaring vocal harmonies, hooky, folky melodies, and epic, imgainative lyrics make you feel like you've been transported into another time or dimension even. You can tell these guys have been heavily influenced by bands like "Crosby Stills Nash and Young" or even as new as "The Shins". Overall, "Fleet Foxes" is a wonderful record full of emotion and talent. A great debut for a great band. The record will soon become a classic, mark my words.… Expand
  25. StevenE.
    Jul 12, 2008
    10
    I just finished listening this disc and it is very good!! I agree with everyone, this is one of, if not the best, albums to come down the pipe this year.
  26. Leofer
    Jul 16, 2008
    10
    Spectacular.
  27. GuyH
    Jul 16, 2008
    10
    It took me one listen to realize this is an absolute certified classic album
  28. TomB
    Jul 22, 2008
    10
    A shoo-in for my favorite record of 2008. Take the album as a sum of all its parts; don't dissect who they sound like, what the songs remind you of, etc. Just sit and listen. At the 2:04 mark of Blue Ridge Mountains is when this album hits absolute nirvana. I will be listening to this album when I'm an old man.
  29. EdW
    Feb 26, 2009
    10
    Superb, utterly superb. I have long waited for this type of sound and these guys deserve every accolade.
  30. JessicaJ.
    Feb 7, 2009
    10
    Absolute perfection. I *cannot* listen to a single song without mentally placing myself in a Robert Frost poem or on a late fall road trip through a wooded nowhere.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2008
12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2008
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    May 11, 2011
    88
    Helplessness Blues is one of the few things reminding me that behind the liquor stores and condominiums is a little freedom and a lot of hope.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Throughout the album, the band sounds wise beyond its years, so it's not really that surprising that Fleet Foxes is such a satisfying, self-assured debut.
    Read full review
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    100
    With their self-titled debut, Fleet Foxes have attained this and have delivered one of the best albums of the year.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »