User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 245 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 227 out of 245
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Mixed: 11 out of 245
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Negative: 7 out of 245
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May 12, 2011I was hoping for something more up-tempo in the follow up to their debut but instead, Robin Pecknold grows in his own direction, the direction the music is taking him, I think. It has so many instances of beauty and I think I shall be discovering things I like about this album (and this band) many years from now. Comparisons to Van Morrison are probably apt.
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May 15, 2011
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May 4, 2011
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Jul 1, 2011This album is great. Every song is strong. Not as many epic songs as first album but overall I think this work is better than their debut which was also great. Well done. Definitely the best album of the year so far. I give this the #1 spot over TV On The Radio' s 9 types of light effort.
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Jul 19, 2011I can't help but feel that this bands sentiments are all a little hollow. It's really pretty, catchy music but it has to lose some artistic merit points on some of the gag worthy lyrics. I'll take the new Bon Iver or Antlers over this one.
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May 3, 2011
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Sep 6, 2011Fleet Foxes' second album doesn't have the same impact as their debut, but still the songwriting is solid stuff and alike their debut, the album grows throughout and becomes better and better as you go along.
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May 24, 2011Fleet Foxes are, and have always been amazing, this album is no exception. Understated, super honest, gorgeous woodsy folk from the heart. This album is a bit more subdued and humble than the previous, but no less outstanding for it.
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Nov 9, 2011
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May 3, 2011From the Cover Art to the title "Sim Sala Bim", The Fleet Foxes do not disappoint with Helplessness Blues. Continually seducing the ears track after track to hold on one more note while the song blends perfectly with the next. The album is a perfect sequel to their debut. Not disappointed in the slightest.
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Mar 10, 2012Helplessness Blues steps up the soundscape for Fleet Foxes to a new level. The undeniable greatness of the vocal harmonies remain with new and different instrumental sounds making this album all its own. This is 2011's defining moment in music, one that deserves to be remembered forever.
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May 31, 2011
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Dec 30, 2011Fleet Foxes' harmonious music is a work of true craftsmanship. Helplessness Blues, like it's predecessor is an elegant and entrancing experience. It will leave you stunned and ultimately moved.
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May 5, 2011A full review:
http://ludditestereo.net/2011/05/03/helplessness-blues-fleet-foxes-album-review/
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May 8, 2011The Fleet Foxes have not disappointed with this sophomore release. The harmonics are astounding as usual; the echoing lofty sounds of Robin Pecknold's voice blending perfectly with the rest of the band. The sounds are quiet, contemplative, and beautiful to listen to. I couldn't have hoped for any better after their first album, but they went ahead and delivered better anyway.
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May 3, 2011
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May 3, 2011NME have no idea about music. The bar was set very high with the release of the first album, and they have definately delivered. If anything I prefer this to the debut. Each track sounds perfected and I haven't heard harmonies like this since the Brian Wilson led era of The Beach Boys. Absolutely fantastic
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May 4, 2011
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May 5, 2011
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May 5, 2011An absolutely beautiful piece of work. The only reviewers who give this album a lower rating are the mainstream magazines who are more than likely driven with the interest of profit rather than creativity. If you enjoy music that is created and spoken from the heart, then purchase this album.
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May 6, 2011It's pretty funny that the only bad review is from NME, who is showing their true biased colors after getting into words with fleet foxes after quote mining Robin and trying to make him sound like he said something he didn't. Of course he called the NME out on this on twitter and told them to remove the story. I guess they held that against them in their review.
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May 6, 2011Gavin Haynes of NME is clearly not familiar with canoozing, a beloved summer pastime here in the Pacific Northwest. The former was the main point of my posting but in order to make it to 150 wordsâ
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May 7, 2011
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May 7, 2011
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May 18, 2011Great follow-up to their debut EP & LP. I particularly enjoy "Grown Ocean" where the band seems to really let go and play with more energy. Check out my full review here: http://earbuddy.blogspot.com/2011/05/earbuddy-review-fleet-foxes.html
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May 8, 2011http://audiosuede.com/fleet-foxes-helplessness-blues/ It's not quite up to the potentials of the first album, especially the first 3-4 songs, but the second half is gorgeous; stripped of its early boredom, the latest Fleet Foxes is not only brilliant but endlessly listenable. With the early issues, it's good, not great.
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May 10, 2011
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May 28, 2011
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May 13, 2011Canoe dig it? LOLZ But in all seriousness, this is just a rehash of old folk, a good one don't get me wrong but a rehash nonetheless. The debut was out of this world and original and sadly this is just nice, affable and passable but that's it.
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May 14, 2011
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May 29, 2011Another great album by Fleet Foxes who play engaging, blissful tunes. A tough follow up to the debut but worth the wait. Check out band called Cloud Control (Bliss Release) if like FF.
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Jun 3, 2011extremely (and almost annoyingly) flawless and quite possibly better than their self-titled effort. Helplessness Blues is a masterpiece and one of the best albums of 2011.
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Jun 3, 2011Fleet Foxes definitely have avoided the infamous "sophomore slump" that so many bands with great debuts fall into. Helplessness Blues gets better and better with each listen, and I would definitely recommend listening to it many times to discover all of the complexities and intricacies of the album.
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Jun 5, 2011
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Jun 7, 2011
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Jun 13, 2011It's pretty rare that a band produces a second album that rivals their first one in quality. While I don't find that there is a standout single on Helplessness Blues the album as a whole just seems stronger and more mature than the s/t. Stellar sophomore album.
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Jun 30, 2011
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Jun 21, 2011Love it- they get those rich harmonies just right, with variation and catchiness in every song. Helplessness Blues goes above and beyond the bar set by Fleet Foxes' first album. A melodic and lyrical masterpiece.
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Jun 29, 2011This has to be the best album of 2011 so far. Introspective, yet universal. Deep, yet accessible. Beautiful music mixed with great vocals, and amazing lyrics. It took a while for me to warm up to it, but once I did I couldn't stop playing this album over and over again. This will go down as one of my favorites for life.
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Jul 22, 2011
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Jul 26, 2011Better than the first. I heard simon and garfunkel are considering suing. Stand out tracks:Montezuma, The Plains / Bitter Dancer, Helplessness Blues.
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Aug 9, 2011I found this album is a little bit more difficult to listen to than their debut, which I personally think was 100% perfect. Still, i have to take a bow before these melodies and lyrics, particularly "The Shrine/An argument", which is absolutely haunting.
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Aug 30, 2011The best of 2011 for those individuals educated beyond grade 12 that don't define the quality of music by the volume of profanity contained in each song. Highly recommended!
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Aug 31, 2011
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Sep 2, 2011I was letdown by this follow up effort and wished it was more of the harmonic melodies on prior release. I don't see this CD as a step in right direction and hope Fleet foxes gets back to their first 2 releases pattern of beautiful lyrics and arrangements.
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Sep 11, 2011There are a couple of great songs here, but for the most part this album feels bland, unexciting and disingenuous in comparison to their debut. They may have extended their musical vocabulary slightly, but all it seems to have done is result in aimless instrumental portions.
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Oct 22, 2012Sonically compelling all throughout and endlessly unique and interesting, "Helplessness Blues" solidifies the Fleet Foxes as one of the best folk/pop/rock hybrids the world has ever seen.
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Oct 4, 2011Beautiful, and nothing less, Helplessness Blues is an instant classic. Lyrically and melodically superb it is the epitome of great folk music. The first time I heard Lorelai I began to tear up, and when I watched the Fleet Foxes perform Montezuma live I cried. I really feel I can connect with this album on a personal level, and maybe that is why I find it so remarkable.
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Oct 3, 2011If you havenâ
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Oct 12, 2011Nearly perfect record ... adventurous and unique, this album will stand the test of time. It doesn't "rock", and there's no Stephen Stills in this band (as they are often compared to CSNY,) but it does something more. It conveys a mood brilliantly and it's parts bring together some of the most gorgeous, honest and original song writing to come along in a long, long time.
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Jan 8, 2018
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Oct 24, 2011Snobbed by NME, this album is an emotional and powerful journey touching 40 years of American music:it is instant classic in an alternative way. Vocal performances make me dream and cry as few things heard before
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Oct 28, 2011BEAUTIFUL, just everything I could ever want in an album, seeing them live confirmed their true musical genius. I feel as though they really tried to make this album slightly more interesting than the first, which was already great. Perhaps the most underrated track is "The Cascades", what a stunning instrumental, really takes you on a mental journey. Long live Fleet Foxes!!!
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Oct 31, 2011
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Jan 5, 2012This is a beautiful album, when I make a cup of coffee and put paint to canvas, nothing inspires me more than this album. I honestly thought they couldn't top thier first effort, but now I think they did. Helplessness Blues deserves a 10 and in my opinion is a tossup for best album of the year with Tom Waits 'Bad as Me."
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Dec 14, 2011oh dear it would help if they wrote actual songs here but instead we' re are mistreated to song treatments, fragments if you will instead of the actual thing, all done in the inimitable style of CSN. hey deja vu all over again, it was bad the first time around, it's not getting any better this time.
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Jan 12, 2014I give it a 9.75.
-Brilliant instruments (mostly acoustic guitar)
-Beautiful vocals
-Tremendous songwriting
Great album, matches with their previous one, both are fantastic and I don't think I could pick which one I like better -
Jul 5, 2020Beautiful record, the awesomeness washes over you again and again and again
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Jul 1, 2013Not as accessible as their first album. Less structured and more jam-oriented, it took a few listens to really get into it. But once you stop looking for patterns, hooks, and other familiarities that we typically listen for and let yourself be carried away by the flawless harmony and imagery of this album, you'll reach the nirvana that few bands but Fleet Foxes can deliver.
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Dec 5, 2014
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Apr 21, 2015What I have to say has already been said better by others.
Highlights:
This album is wonderful, an amazing expression of emotion. In addition, Helplessness Blues (the actual track) is my favorite song ever written. Nothing else hits as close to home and sounds so stunning as it does.
Nothing else to say - 10/10, easily. -
Mar 17, 2017Go home NME, you're drunk. This record is filled with the experimentalist folky madness that Fleet Foxes have claimed as their own. They've definitely proven themselves a force to be reckoned with.
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May 23, 2017
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Feb 18, 2019
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Nov 20, 2021Satisfying indie folk masterpiece that solidified fleet foxes status amongst indie greats. All considerd their is a dramatic emptiness that subtracts from the songs intentions.
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Jan 1, 2020
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Oct 24, 2019I think this will be one of those albums that will age well as the years go on. One that you'll be proud to show your children and childrens children. It's honestly one of the most impressive follow up albums to an already monumental successful first album. LISTEN TO THIS!
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Nov 14, 2019Beautifully written and poetic descriptions of trying to find yourself in your 20s and beyond.
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Jan 5, 2020I honestly believe this is the perfect folk-rock record. It's lush and beautiful, the lyrics are poetic, but it doesn't shy away from pushing the genre in fresh creative ways either. Fleet Foxes might just be my all-time favorite band.
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Apr 8, 2021A very human, accessible, and mature record that is filled with so much true passion and emotion.
9.6/10
Awards & Rankings
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Jun 30, 2011The words are as woodsy and quaint as ever. Pecknold seems to take his inspiration from classic British poetry, and rarely refers to objects, characters, or events that would place him in the 21st century, relying instead on imagery like old stone fountains, seeds, keys, sand, and the night sky.
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Jun 9, 2011Where its predecessor corralled modern versions of The Canterbury Tales that the band's foxhunting moniker continues to evoke, Pecknold's Helplessness relies on a suitelike flow in the absence of greatest hits.
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Q MagazineMay 31, 2011Both mysterious and inviting, Helplessness Blues retains and expands what made the debut so special. It's an open door to a private world. [Jun 2011, p.108]