Vampire Weekend
by Vampire Weekend
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jan 29, 2008
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 321 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 288 out of 321
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 321
  3. Negative: 14 out of 321

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  1. ChadS.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads? Maybe this is their "77". The songs have the same minimalist approach to arrangement, and more importantly, the lyrics are artfully mundane like David Byrne's "Don't Worry 'Bout the Government". "M79" is amazing. It's suggestive of the Electric Light Orchestra dipping into Afro-pop. The other standout is "I Stand Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads? Maybe this is their "77". The songs have the same minimalist approach to arrangement, and more importantly, the lyrics are artfully mundane like David Byrne's "Don't Worry 'Bout the Government". "M79" is amazing. It's suggestive of the Electric Light Orchestra dipping into Afro-pop. The other standout is "I Stand Corrected". I like how the chorus sneaks up on you with its catchiness. It sort of follows the quiet/loud formula of Nirvana and The Pixies. "I Stand Corrected" starts off like a Low song and then they turn into Bloc Party, or Matt Pond PA, if Matt Pond PA weren't into Toad the Wet Sprocket. Every song on this eponymous debut is a keeper, with the possible exception of "Bryn". Will Vampire Weekend keep this stripped down approach, or will they open up their sound. Do they have a "Remain in Light" in them? This ain't no shanty town; this ain't no Johannesberg; this ain't no fooling around. This is Cape Cod. Fear them. "Vampire Weekend" makes indie-rock music fun again. We needed this album.… Expand
  2. J.Holiday
    Jan 30, 2008
    3
    Another one from the hype machine. Unimpressive.
  3. KurtC.
    Jan 30, 2008
    9
    Vampire Weekend (VW) offer a stunningly solid and modest debut album. They spring some great melodies and harmonies on top of bouncing bass lines, grooving percussion, tastefully sparse guitar riffs, and impeccable keyboard work. If any fault is to be pointed out, it would be that the drumming falls a bit short at times in its sloppiness, but this in no way detracts from the overall Vampire Weekend (VW) offer a stunningly solid and modest debut album. They spring some great melodies and harmonies on top of bouncing bass lines, grooving percussion, tastefully sparse guitar riffs, and impeccable keyboard work. If any fault is to be pointed out, it would be that the drumming falls a bit short at times in its sloppiness, but this in no way detracts from the overall greatness of the album. VW is a fresh injection into the indie music scene and have just released what will easily stand to be one of 2008… Expand
  4. ZeroS.
    Jan 29, 2008
    8
    Paul Simon's Graceland meets Pavement meets Vitesse. Its fun, immediately catchy, and in 6 months you are gonna hate it, without being able to give a good reason why.
  5. MarkK.
    Jan 29, 2008
    9
    Impressive debut from a great band with plenty of potential. Great tunes with a breezy pop feeling.
  6. JDW.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    So Amazing. Every song has its own life on the record. It fits as a story of college life. It deserves all the hype its gotten!!
  7. AllanC.
    Jan 29, 2008
    10
    This album is special to me personally because I had bought the CD-R and I have been listening to the same tracks for about a year now and I can attest that the music is still great from when I heard it awhile ago. It is poppy/catchy music but with enough substance and differences that make Vampire Weekend stand out. Very deserving of the hype.
  8. JeremyG.
    Jan 29, 2008
    8
    Listening to the album for the second time now...was impressed the first time through, but not entirely blown away. Very unique sound. These guys are going to make some true masterpiece at some point down the round...this isn't it, but it's solid.
  9. JayM.
    Jan 29, 2008
    3
    Rstricted by its need to remain uncomplicated, ok- if you like twee pop with some badly recorded drums.
  10. MarcosE.
    Jan 28, 2008
    9
    Rally good stuff. they know how to make really cute really catchy pop songs but they bring something new to the table. That afrobeat is gonna be huge!!
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Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best Album of 2008
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2008
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. AllMusic
    90
    Fully realized debut albums like Vampire Weekend come along once in a great while, and these songs show that this band is smart, but not too smart for their own good.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Listeners are only too lucky to get a hot breath of summer fun in these cold winter months.
    Read full review
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    At its best, Vampire Weekend takes the exceedingly familiar template of indie rock and invigorates it with a chiming guitar sound that suggests the band has been spending its downtime browsing afropop.org.
    Read full review
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