Yeah, I get the whole "oh it's just this year's it band" criticism. Get past that, and it's the best record all year, hands down-- and I've already gushed over Animal Collective.

Don’t we all aspire to the solitude that an uninhabited island (this one being Veckatimest near Cape Cod) would offer us at times when we would love to kick back and listen to some really groovy music with all the ambience that said island would add to the enjoyment of that vibe, that if we had to listen to for an extended stay, because our boat floated away, because we didn’t tie the right knot, because we didn’t listen to our scout masters, that said music would keep our minds occupied trying to figure out the complexities of the folk and jazz textures which would wash over us differently each time, much like the ocean breezes do depending on what island we are on (this one being Veckatimest near Cape Cod), and the seagulls (who don’t actually wash over us - you know - they have been called rats with wings, but I just don’t see it. Maybe one needs to deposit something of the same color on our foreheads as it dive bombs on our ambience and enjoyment of the vibe) that we have started talking to, and giving them names like Larch and Wilbur... Oh, just enjoy the music, and don’t worry about the Taliban (I don’t understand why Muhammad always put his fingers in his ears when he heard music), or any other such distractions. After all you are on an island called Veckatimest.… Expand

A progression of sorts from 2006's Yellow House. It's livelier but not as consistently good as its predecessor.

The best songs go round and gloriously round in your head for days, but there are too many others that merely *feel* like they go on for days.

This is simply a great album. Beautiful vocals and arrangements. I just saw them at Town Hall in NYC and they were fantastic. Ben Ratliff of the NY Times called their music cold, but he's dead wrong. This music celebrates the most human element in pop music, the voice, and surpasses others like the Beach Boys and Animal Collective on so many levels. I fell in love with the internet download, then bought the CD and it is well worth it for the improvement in sound. This is one to treasure.… Expand

This is an album for people who want their music to take them on a journey, where the discoveries made along the way are just as important as the destination itself. Veckatimest conntinues to reveal itself with every listen, proving that it is an album that will stand the test of time. I pity those who listen to it once and dismiss it as they are missing out on something special. From the grandiose opener Southern Point to the gorgeous closer Foreground it is an intricate and delicate musical experience. It's hard to think of an album with 2 better, abliet contrastingly different, bookends. And I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Jeff Buckley similarities. If you liked Grace, give this a listen. You won't be disappointed.… Expand

On of the greatest albums of the year if not the decade. I love heavy riffs, hard'n'fast tempos, and simplicity, but once in a while it's fantastic to find comfort in such a sublime and carefully crafted album.

One of this years best. Beautifully arranged, Veckatimest soars from start to finish.

This is an absolutely stunning and gorgeous album! There's not a single clunker on it, though I DO have my personal favs. This masterful album's intricacy and intimacy is profoundly felt and appreciated indeed. "Veckatimest" is certainly destined to be lauded as one of 2009's best albums for sure.

Prime contender for MPP.

I can't figure out for the life of me why everybody loves this so much. The songs are boring, the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand, the mix is horrible and it makes me either want to fall asleep or kill myself. Just because someone makes an album of songs that sound different doesn't mean that it is automatically good. I bought this based on all these great reviews and I wish I didn't. Very disappointed in the listening public and critics.… Expand

Grizzly Bear's best album to date, an orchestral exploration of musical oddities and minor keys.

guys, please. why does everyone need to lie to themselves and say this is the best thing they've ever heard? yellow house - now THAT was a classic. this sounds like Department Of Eagles released another album. i like it alot, love Two Weeks (even though i think it sounded better and less precious on Letterman) but having listened to Department Of Eagles last record that guys voice is starting to sounds like a one trick pony. i, for one, am mildly disappointed. still givin it an 8 cause they're such a rad band.… Expand

Better with every listening.

The mixing is beautiful, the vocal arrangements stunning, the production slick and clean. But despite all these glowing attributes, I could not once listen to this album without finding it a complete waste of time. With a scope of SO much great independent music being made, Veckatimest is incomparably boring. "Two Weeks" is a fantastic single stuck in a valley of hogwash. If you insist on listening to this album, put on a tweed sweater vest, sit back, and say "yes, that's clever." Then listen to something worth your while.… Expand

What is the BIG fuss about. Music is in the #*+tters! Does anybody want to write and perform GOOD stuff anymore!!! This music has been getting a lot of buzz who is listening and leading the music purchasers down a wacky path.

My daughter bought this CD for me because she likes them - and what a great present! This is the best album I have heard all year. Great vocals, great songs and great musicianship. Hard to pigeon hole and why would you want to? Favourite songs? All really good but I 'd have to say Southern Point and Ready, Able, and While you Wait for the Others (but I could list them all). Give this album a listen - it was an instant hit with me and continues to get bet with each listen.… Expand

This album is such a grower - on the first listen, it is instantly forgettable, asides from the first single Two Weeks perhaps, but after a week or two the subtle hooks become more apparent... then you're hooked.

A pleasant diversion from the mundane nature of most modern music.

I'll admit that it didn't immediately grab me... I had to jump from "Two Weeks" to "While you wait for the others" for the first few plays. However, this is an incredible album that grows on you more and more each time you listen to it. If you've only given it one play through... try it again. The end especially is astoundingly beautiful.

I have listened to this album repeatedly and while I can admire the obvious time and craft that has gone into it, it just wont stick. This frustrates me as a lot of people obviously like this music but as with the Animal Collective this doesn't move me. They have been compared to Radiohead and I love In Rainbows (in my opinion the best album in years) but i think this album lacks heart/soul/connect with the listener (or at least me) and so it is easier to admire than love. So for me i'm afraid its a 5, a bit over hyped.… Expand

Don't get me wrong - this is a fantastic album. My problem with it is that there are a few songs here that are actually perfect and show what Grizzly Bear is capable of. Both Horn of Plenty and Yellow House interspersed their "wow" moments evenly throughout the album, often putting them in the middle of songs that meandered and explored musical space for a few minutes before really opening up. The result was fascinating and consistent. On Veckatimest, they have split their explorations and their explosions into different songs entirely, and it's incredibly frustrating to me. After hearing a Two Weeks or While You Wait for the Others, both of which are pop perfection all the way through, it becomes harder to want Grizzly Bear to meander on a song like Dory (easily the weakest track on here). So ultimately, the opening and closing of the album are some of the best I will hear all year, but the middle drags in a way that other Grizzly Bear albums haven't.… Expand

Simple, coherent, beautiful, and growing, it unfolds over repeated listens, album of the year here comes Grizzly Bear.

One listen is enough, this one raises the stakes for 2009, liked it better than Animal Collective.

Nearly perfect album, however, I challenge Grizzly Bear to experiment somewhere above mid-tempo

The year's best album. With a bullet.

I also don't understand what all the fuss is about. Intricate arrangements and woodsy, pastoral vocals does not equal great songs. Trendy. Snoozers.

Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest is the best album I’ve heard in 2009 and it’s going to be hard to beat. It’s so excruciatingly beautiful I don’t know whether I should laugh from happiness or cry about it. Veckatimest is so emotionally charged that at times I feel my heart is going to pound out of my chest because I can’t exactly understand what the hell is going on but dear God it feels right. Artistically Veckatimest is top notch. You can tell every second of every song was labored over. Every member of Grizzly Bear is so talented musically and the four part harmony is just otherworldly at times. There are multiple layers to each song and it takes awhile to hear them all. I certainly haven’t heard them all yet. Even though the whole album stays at a middle tempo it’s no small feat that it’s exciting and complex. Since the dawn of being able to download music where songs are bought al la carte the art of creating a solid album is a bit lost. It’s more about the hit it seems. However, Veckatimest needs to be listened to in its entirety. Each song has something to offer and it just works together beautifully in its entirety. However, there are some highlights. “Two Weeks” is the single and probably the most upbeat song on the album. The flow and harmony is just incredible. “Fine for Now” climaxes spectacularly! When the symbols come crashing in it will literally take your breath away. “Southern Point,” “Cheerleader,” and “While You Wait for Others” are personal favorites of mine but again I will stress the album needs to be listened to in its entirety.… Expand

The best album this year.

This is not as bad as Jim C thinks it is but it is overrated. Only a few songs like Cheerleader stand out. Yes, its a pleasant listen by no way is it that great as the reviews make it.

I don't get it. Did you guys get paid to post these reviews? These guys can barely play their instruments, the mix is bad, and the lyrics don't make sense. Check out the latest Dream Theater album if you want to hear good instrumentation and great storytelling for lyrics.

Here's a recipe for success as a band. Move to Brooklyn. Dress/act like hipsters. Make twee, sensitive-sounding, pretentious pop music. Have one band mate that can "play" a few weird instruments - clarinet, skin flute, whatever. To give your songs a few hooks, rip-off Pet Sounds, etc. Have your lame record label market your LP to a bunch of hipster wannabes, especially in the Midwest, so they can pretend like they are down with the New York scene. Rinse. Repeat.… Expand

Cool sound. Did not sound good on the first listen but really sticks by the 3rd time around. Cannot turn it off now. Powerful instrumental and harmony mixes in a very unique and original sound These guys have the same potential as the Beatles if the right things fall into place.

A good album with some great musicianship. A little too 'polished' in places however.

Almost flawless.

To me polished is the last word I think of when describing this album. I would love it if this album were more polished. I know in the pretentious indie world words like polished, overproduced and slick are like the devil but the whole lofi production thing was such a long time ago. Aren't we over it yet? I sure am which is why this album was so disappointing. I wanted to like it so badly. In fact I'm giving a higher score than I believe it deserves because I'm hoping it will eventually grow on me. Their first single and the album closer are excellent and the fact that they ended the album on a high note makes this album slightly more memorable so props to them for that.… Expand

Listen to the highest quality version you can, because this album is worth more than a petty leak. And plus, the album was written and performed entirely by the band, as well as being produced by one of the band members. It's pure, unconditional Grizzly Bear at their best.

Great album.

2009's answer to "Pet Sounds." Simple as that.

A perfect segue into their layered musical world, this album becomes more coherent with each listen. Its a testament to their craft when I can listen to this disc so many times over and over, only to cement my intrigue that much further.

A Pet Sounds inspired record that does not sound derivative. You won't hear many bands create more beautiful music than Grizzly Bear do on Veckatimest.

In recent years popular music has been completely focused on making big singles that are completely throwaway. Creating a steady stream of disposable pop stars one week after another. Thank god for the increasing trend of artists such as Grizzly Bear who are determined to make "Classic Albums" and are constantly honing their trade rather than gunning for celebrity status. Veckatimest will without a doubt be looked back on in years to come as not just a great album, but one that bucked the trends to create something truely special. An album for the ages!… Expand

Sheer quirky brilliance that is still getting better with every listen, at least 20 listens in.

A really nice album, their best: Two Weeks, While You Wait ..., I Live With You and Foreground are standout tracks!!! wonderful!!!

Best album I've heard. Period. A instant classic.

Jim, you're the reason why the user ratings don't work. Giving this album a 0 is a complete joke. What are you trying to prove? Anyway, I think it's great.

This is a very good album by the Grizzlies.

Beautiful, astonishing, simplistic, mindblowing,and truly superior to 99% of anything else out there. In comparably unique.

I agree with Dave T. Intricate arrangements do not a great album make. Plus... they've been done wayyyy better before: -by XTC, who had more than one pulse and tempo to offer. Whether it's The Decemberists or the Fleet Foxes, this sound is pretentious and boring.

This is an album that I will go b ack to many times. It has the brilliance and execution which make me swoon. ...The melodies are wonderful as well as the instrumentations.

A few bright moments, but the music often meanders when it feels like it should be going somewhere. Even after repeated listening I found it a much less rewarding experience than Yellow House.

I don't know which album from Grizzly Bear I like the most but this one sure makes it hard for me to decide. It's so different yet so familiar to their sound. I love this album and how every song connects seamlessly. I love their music and can't wait for their next album to come.