Crack-Up
by Fleet Foxes
  • Record Label: Nonesuch
  • Release Date: Jun 16, 2017
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 148 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 126 out of 148
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 148
  3. Negative: 12 out of 148
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  1. Paulo_Jorge
    Jun 16, 2017
    9
    Again, guys like The A.V Club, Mojo and Slant Magazine proves how good they can f*ck up sometimes, neither they gave Crack-Up the ammount of listens it needed neither they get Fleet Foxes at all.

    Water moving and storm crashing sounds build a great background to sustain the album`s context, as it being about radical turns in life, how everything suddenly changes as unexpected as a    Again, guys like The A.V Club, Mojo and Slant Magazine proves how good they can f*ck up sometimes, neither they gave Crack-Up the ammount of listens it needed neither they get Fleet Foxes at all.

    Water moving and storm crashing sounds build a great background to sustain the album`s context, as it being about radical turns in life, how everything suddenly changes as unexpected as a storm, those are also congruent to Fleet Foxes ideology, unfortunately they`re the few parts on the album that resembles the close approach to nature that Fleet Foxes captivated in their previous work, but I do see this as a pro, as if Crack-Up represents a more direct and realistic turn for Fleet Foxes, abandoning their nature based metaphors to something more feet to the ground.

    Crack-Up is not only an unexpected turn for Fleet Foxes context-wise, but instrumentally as well, featuring their most experimental and adventurous songs, despite the awkward transition in the end of the astonishing I Should See Nemphis, all of the efforts to bring a bolder and different sound to the table pans out as Crack-Up being Fleet Foxes most diverse sounding experience, with an even more ambitious instruments diversity, the album is fulled with moments of pure beauty.

    In tracks like Cassius - and Fool`s Errand Crack-Up proves to be the exact antagonist of Helplessness Blues, changing all the romance to Pecknold`s affliction from believing in his dreams and waiting for a sign, as this being a fool`s errand, as well as comparisons between Cassius, the Roman traitor, and the police officers that betrayed the idea of them being the ones who`s suppose to maintain our safety, on 05-06-2016, in the song Cassius -.

    Sometimes as straight forward as the glorious three parts opener, sometimes as metaphorical as I Should See Memphis, Crack-Up maintains the characteristics of being an instrumentally bold, masterly crafted and produced album, from the opener to the closer, the self-entitled track, a thoughtful metaphorical track that sums up all the album`s reflections, but not giving it a solution, simply leaving all of Pecknold`s thoughts, which I see as Fleet Foxes statement of change, of pure evolution. Not a perfect piece tho, it isn`t as lyrically powerfull as their previous two albums, but it doesn`t lights off Crack-Up`s amazing accomplishments.    … Expand
  2. Music_Observer
    Aug 15, 2017
    8
    While Fleet Foxes don’t necessarily create any spectacular or ingenious moments, they do create a masterful atmosphere that’s raw, pastoral, and intelligent, with a consistency that many current musicians in the folk music realm would die for. My Score: 135/180 (Solid) = 7.5/10
  3. jfeldman
    Jun 22, 2017
    9
    The Fleet Foxes latest album "Crack-Up" is a brilliant adventure into the human condition. It sends you on a journey with lead man Robin Pecknold through a variety of vivid tones. With the notes accompanying the album's lyrics the listener can create a mental image of the beautiful transitions and instrumental flourishes. It's an album where every twist and turn has a sense of purpose andThe Fleet Foxes latest album "Crack-Up" is a brilliant adventure into the human condition. It sends you on a journey with lead man Robin Pecknold through a variety of vivid tones. With the notes accompanying the album's lyrics the listener can create a mental image of the beautiful transitions and instrumental flourishes. It's an album where every twist and turn has a sense of purpose and meaning.

    Rarly if never does the album seem random or shallow. The only part which keeps me away from being fully immersed in the vision is the ornateness of the lyrics which require strenuous contemplation to understand. In all this album represents an extremely ambitious and large scale project which pays off for close listeners and fans of the Fleet Foxes' style. The instrumentation has more depth and variety, the lyrics are well delivered and the chord choice is on point bringing interesting inflection throughout the album.    … Expand
  4. HugoPavi
    Jun 16, 2017
    10
    Takes everything that was great about self-titled and Helplessness Blues and elevates it to the next level. This is Fleet Foxes' magnum opus and in my humble opinion, the front-runner for AOTY at the moment. Some of the most beautiful, melodic, and ambitious music you'll hear this year (or any year for that matter).
  5. jpowell28
    Jun 19, 2017
    10
    "Crack-Up" is everything I hoped for and more. The songs all flow beautifully into each other, and the instrumentation is more complex and dynamic than on both of their previous releases. Robin Pecknold's amazing voice has been missed these last 6 years and it is fine form here - the harmonies that make Fleet Foxes who they are are here in full force. It is a true headphone album, and"Crack-Up" is everything I hoped for and more. The songs all flow beautifully into each other, and the instrumentation is more complex and dynamic than on both of their previous releases. Robin Pecknold's amazing voice has been missed these last 6 years and it is fine form here - the harmonies that make Fleet Foxes who they are are here in full force. It is a true headphone album, and needs to be listened to that way in order to take in every intricacy - I hear new things every time I listen to it. It also needs to be listened to all the way through at least once. I can listen to highlights such as "Fool's Errand" and "Mearcstapa" on their own but as a whole, this album is at its finest. A masterpiece and the best album of 2017 so far.… Expand
  6. lcalm21
    Jul 7, 2017
    6
    I'm a big fan of the Fleet Foxes and fell in love with their first album. I liked their second one, but it was not quite the same as their first record. After a couple of listens I must say I'm kind of dissapointed in Crack-up. The vocals and music sounds good, but there's not really a whole lot that excites me here and the songs are not as strong as in the previous two albums. I hate toI'm a big fan of the Fleet Foxes and fell in love with their first album. I liked their second one, but it was not quite the same as their first record. After a couple of listens I must say I'm kind of dissapointed in Crack-up. The vocals and music sounds good, but there's not really a whole lot that excites me here and the songs are not as strong as in the previous two albums. I hate to say it, but to a degree it gets a bit boring in the long run. I have waited so long for something new from the Fleet Foxes, and I wished they could come up with something better. Crack-Up doesn't have those great choruses from previous efforts and I'm longing for something that gives me a little more emotional arousal.… Expand
  7. jasharkowalski
    Jun 26, 2017
    5
    Don't waste your time with this one, it's way too boring....I'm afraid these Canadians will never touch the beauty and perfection like they did with the first record....yes, we all waited so long for this album but the sad fact is - it's a flop
  8. eugene_skala
    Apr 20, 2020
    9
    Fleet Foxes continue not so much trying to write The Great American Novel, but music to simply exist as a kind of literature for itself. Ghosts of writers from the 1930s: Steinbeck, Hemingway, Faulkner and F.Scott Fitzgerald are summoned on the bands latest offering, Crack-Up. The publication The Onion complained that Crack-Up lacked “lyrical tentpoles”. Without offering an explanation ofFleet Foxes continue not so much trying to write The Great American Novel, but music to simply exist as a kind of literature for itself. Ghosts of writers from the 1930s: Steinbeck, Hemingway, Faulkner and F.Scott Fitzgerald are summoned on the bands latest offering, Crack-Up. The publication The Onion complained that Crack-Up lacked “lyrical tentpoles”. Without offering an explanation of what is meant by "tentpoles", To expect insist songwriter Robin Pecknold sacrifice the enigmatic poetic feel here is to miss the point of all that is strived for and achieved on Crack-Up.… Expand
  9. Ricko
    Feb 18, 2018
    8
    Thought these lads had packed it in there was such a gap since the last album in 2011. Was lucky enough to see them on their tour in support of "Crack-Up" and it really bought this album to another level for me. It's got most of the elements that made their first 2 records so good but has a more expansive sound this time. Less focus on hooks and more attention given to building a song outThought these lads had packed it in there was such a gap since the last album in 2011. Was lucky enough to see them on their tour in support of "Crack-Up" and it really bought this album to another level for me. It's got most of the elements that made their first 2 records so good but has a more expansive sound this time. Less focus on hooks and more attention given to building a song out of unconventional sections. You can imagine how difficult an album this might have been to write when you listen to it. Perhaps not as instant as their earlier work but for me more mature, more of a challenge and ultimately more rewarding. A highlight of 2017 for me.… Expand
  10. nightmancomes
    Jan 4, 2018
    10
    This album is a certified pleb filter. If you don't like this album after liking their first 2, you're a certified pleb.
  11. dhoskins
    Jul 3, 2017
    9
    If you liked the direction the Fleet Foxes were going on Helplessness Blues with "The Plains/Bitter Dancer" and "The Shrine/An Argument" (minus the latter's annoying saxophone solo), then check out Crack-Up. It has lots of song suites and meandering song structures, but the beauty is more punctuated. That is, there are lots of quiet moments that sound almost like an old radio playing inIf you liked the direction the Fleet Foxes were going on Helplessness Blues with "The Plains/Bitter Dancer" and "The Shrine/An Argument" (minus the latter's annoying saxophone solo), then check out Crack-Up. It has lots of song suites and meandering song structures, but the beauty is more punctuated. That is, there are lots of quiet moments that sound almost like an old radio playing in the other room, and then the music explodes into something catchy and beautiful. The effect reminds me of Chicago's track "Wishing You Were Here" in a lot of ways. Also, for a treat, check out Pecknold going over the making of "Mearcstapa" on the Song Exploder podcast! It's not my favorite song on the album, but it's fascinating to hear about .… Expand
  12. YT_Guyyy
    Oct 23, 2017
    10
    Fleet Foxes continue their sonic evolution on a much more prog-folk, folk rock and traditional folk album. The band plays with a soft-loud dynamic, putting together two sonic styles they do well: Hard-hitting acoustic guitar with flowing string instruments, and soft guitar chords more in the style of Helplesness Blues, while the strings quietly hold everything together.
  13. sratomasfer
    Jul 1, 2017
    10
    At long last here we are. Fleet Foxes are at full form musically and lyrically. Definitely their most experimental endeavor to date. The music is so vast and layered just as this album's predecessor was yet they maintain an intimacy that is so... Fleet Foxes.
  14. pinebot
    Jun 20, 2017
    7
    I've been listening almost non-stop since it dropped. Its beautiful, elegant, creative, with sublime moments of brilliance, but ultimately doesn't come close to Helplessness Blues in terms of all-time great albums for me. Too dense and meandering, too many atonal (or maybe hyper-tonal?) excursions and jarring interludes. HB struck a perfect balance of melodic hooks combined with musicalI've been listening almost non-stop since it dropped. Its beautiful, elegant, creative, with sublime moments of brilliance, but ultimately doesn't come close to Helplessness Blues in terms of all-time great albums for me. Too dense and meandering, too many atonal (or maybe hyper-tonal?) excursions and jarring interludes. HB struck a perfect balance of melodic hooks combined with musical exploration and non-linearity - this one just goes too far toward the exploratory side IMO.… Expand
  15. ariadneanthread
    Jul 2, 2017
    8
    For the most part, superb and rewarding. Takes time to fully appreciate this one. A couple of tracks seem out of place: namely, 'Mearstcapa' and 'I Should See Memphis'. On the whole though, this has real substance and longevity.
  16. Citadelen
    Feb 18, 2019
    9
    First of all I'd like to say that this isn't my favourite Fleet Foxes album, that title belongs to the masterpiece that is 'Helplessness Blues', but this probably ties with their debut, in my opinion, when looking at the enjoyability of the music. One thing that really struck me with 'Crack-Up', was how clever and intelligent it is, without insisting upon itself or sounding pretentious.First of all I'd like to say that this isn't my favourite Fleet Foxes album, that title belongs to the masterpiece that is 'Helplessness Blues', but this probably ties with their debut, in my opinion, when looking at the enjoyability of the music. One thing that really struck me with 'Crack-Up', was how clever and intelligent it is, without insisting upon itself or sounding pretentious. The persistent motif of suddenly shifting between movements and emotions, and we're told this is a comment on the necessity of holding two opposing thoughts together in one's head. And after being told that, it's possible to listen to 'Crack-Up' again, ready to experience it in yet another way. To this day, after having listened to the album many times over, I can still pick out small elements of instrumentation I hadn't noticed before, and wonder absentmindedly throughout the rest of my day what it could mean. In closing it's clear to me that this album is misunderstood, and I encourage anyone who wasn't taken with it originally to give it another listen or two, and really pay attention to it.… Expand
  17. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    My favourite fleet foxes record. I can't really explain why this record hits me the way it does. It's so cinematic and grand i love "i see Memphis " & "if you need time,take time on me" . The title track is spellbinding!
  18. toroRoma71
    Feb 28, 2020
    5
    Was hoping for more. Looking forward to this new album and after months of trying to get into it, it just doesn’t hook me.
  19. WolfyJones
    Oct 24, 2019
    10
    This is the only band that i know that grows more confidently with every album they release. Every song Robin writes was meticulously thought out to the point of perfection. The first two albums were folk classics. This is Folk-God level... **** art-rock that matures like fine wine on each listen. They raised the bar pretty high for themselves and for all their copycat bands.
  20. atm_machine
    Sep 28, 2020
    10
    Crack-Up is a pinnacle of the group's discography, and still relevant years later.
  21. hdcooper
    Apr 8, 2021
    10
    A grand, untamable masterpiece that, if treated with patience and care, reveals an experience that only the music can give to you. A true piece of art that seems to be elevated past a level Fleet Foxes has reached before.

    10/10

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2017
90
#90 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. No Ripcord
    Jul 19, 2017
    70
    While it’s not short of irritating periods of pretension, it’s par for the course when beauty, indulgence and complexity are key ingredients in the melting pot.
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  2. Prefix Magazine
    Jul 6, 2017
    70
    It is a record that tries to rise above the expectations created by the band’s past success. In doing so, it loses sight of where their past success came from.
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  3. The Quietus
    Jun 28, 2017
    80
    The whole album is a cabinet of curiosities to discover and decipher.
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