Modern Vampires of the City
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Modern Vampires of the City Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 51 Critic Reviews What's this?

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8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 418 Ratings

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  • Summary: Co-produced by Ariel Rechtshaid and band member Rostam Batmanglij, the third full-length release from the indie rock quartet was inspired by New York City.

Top Track

Diane Young
You torched a Saab like a pile of leaves I’d gone to find some better wheels Four or five meters running ’round the bend When the government... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    May 21, 2013
    100
    Each verse/chorus/bridge/​intro melody, each lyric straight or knotty, each sound effect playful or perverse (or both)‑-each is pleasurable in itself and aptly situated in the sturdy songs and tracks, so that the whole signifies without a hint of concept.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    May 7, 2013
    91
    When everything here lines up the right way--and it more often than not, it does--Modern Vampires is the perfect album for the coming Atlantic summer. Think of it like saltwater taffy: bright and sweet, with plenty to chew on.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    May 9, 2013
    90
    The new record by Vampire Weekend is the best alternative pop album you will hear this year. Unselfconscious, technically brilliant in a way that crucially you will never actually notice, shimmering with beautiful, strange melodies and just a small smidge of actual bonkers.
  4. American Songwriter
    May 8, 2013
    80
    It’s time to start thinking of Vampire Weekend not as upstarts but as one of the world’s best bands, because they’ve delivered a trio of great albums in an era when diminished expectations leave most listeners grateful for one.
  5. The Quietus
    May 17, 2013
    80
    Modern Vampires quite often touches brilliance, and does so without audibly straining for 'maturity' or pushing hard to be some po-faced Great American Album.
  6. Spin
    May 13, 2013
    80
    Like art, Vampires is dense; like pop, it seems to float in effortlessly from some place you're sure you've been, but by some trick of déjà vu eludes your conscious brain.
  7. Alternative Press
    May 2, 2013
    20
    In the end, Modern Vampires just seems to fade into a dull glow that will still be overshadowed by the band's explosive self-titled debut. [Jun 2013, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 51 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 64
  3. Negative: 1 out of 64
  1. Blurbtwndalines
    May 14, 2013
    10
    Haters beware. This is the album that change your entire outlook on Vampire Weekend. Gone are the peppy, Afrobeats and Synths that dominatedHaters beware. This is the album that change your entire outlook on Vampire Weekend. Gone are the peppy, Afrobeats and Synths that dominated the first two records. Gone (for the most part) are the ivy-leaguer lyrical references. Instead Vampire Weekend gives us their most concise, beautiful, and varied album. Difficult without actually challenging the listener, because the pop hooks are so good. Through and Through it's still a Vampire Weekend album; you can hear it in the "M79" strings of "Don't Lie" or the up-tempo "a-Punk" beat of "Unbelievers," but this album takes those ideas found in previous albums and takes them in interesting directions. There is never a dull moment on the record; the songs continually shift and distort until their conclusion. I can't think of a better album or direction Vampire Weekend could have taken. Easily their best work yet, and quite possibly the album of the year already for 2013.… Expand
  2. RamonGuerrero
    May 2, 2014
    10
    As the songs go one, you will keep thinking in the awesome lyrics and different rhythm that totally changed the look of Vampire Weekend. ThisAs the songs go one, you will keep thinking in the awesome lyrics and different rhythm that totally changed the look of Vampire Weekend. This revolutionary album is the band's best till now, and I can't wait to see what will come next.… Expand
  4. matteo704
    May 16, 2013
    10
    Vampire Weekend's latest effort epitomizes everything that a rock album should be in the year 2013: energetic, moving, and feeling fresh,Vampire Weekend's latest effort epitomizes everything that a rock album should be in the year 2013: energetic, moving, and feeling fresh, while undoubtably showcasing a plethora of influences. From "Tusk" era Fleetwood Mac ("Finger Back") and "Remain in Light" era Talking Heads ("Everlasting Arms") to a sound that's uniquely Vampire Weekend ("Unbelievers"), the group of former Columbia students have become experts of their craft on "Modern Vampires of the City." Without a doubt, Ezra and co's newest album came perfectly in time for the summer and will definitely stand the test of time. A must-have.… Expand
  5. Squidibly
    May 27, 2013
    9
    Its been 17 days since "Modern Vampires of the City" was released. I don't know about you but i've been giving this record a whole lot ofIts been 17 days since "Modern Vampires of the City" was released. I don't know about you but i've been giving this record a whole lot of attention and i have got to say i am impressed. Vampire Weekend has been releasing great music since their debut self titled album dropped in 2008. The band also took a huge step forward by truly forming a unique sound with their sophomore album "Contra". With this new record it's clear that they knew what they had to do to perfect a sound that no other band has. LP3 opens with "Obvious Bicycle" a great way to begin this album this track is full of cool harmonies and awesome synthesized effects with some great lyrics. The second track is Unbelievers" and this is one of my favorite songs that Vampire Weekend has released. its rememberable, catchy, and just hands down amazing. Track Three is titled "Step" which is one of the tracks they released first. This track might be my favorite track Vampire Weekend song to date. it is just beautiful from start to finish. it has amazing instrumentals and perfect lyrics, definitely a highlight of the album. Track four Diane Young" another single they dropped. This track is another perfect track with really funky creative fun instrumentation and crazy cool lyrics. Track number five "Don't Lie" is another track that has phenomenal lyrics and a fun melody. Along with tracks Unbelievers" and Worship You", Don't lie is a track where you can tell the lyrics that seem like they have to do with personal religious beliefs. you can really tell they put all their heart into making these songs which is what i believe is the most important thing in making music. track six "Hannah Hunt" this is song has a phenomenal breakdown which just makes this track so much more incredible then it already was before the breakdown. Another perfect track from this album. Track seven Everlasting Arms" my personal favorite from this album it's just so fun and so inspirational it shows that not all songs have to be super complex. i also love the way they use vocoder on this song. Track eight Finger Back" this track starts off with a very poppy fun rhythm and to me feels most like their older music. i also love the chorus. However the bridge i am not to fond of but besides that i really enjoyed this track. Track nine my least favorite track on this record i like the lyrics and i don't think it's a bad song it's just not my favorite. Track 10 Ya Hey" i really like this song and it's funny because i have heard people say they don't like the chorus but i actually think it's my favorite part of this song. Track 11 "Hudson" this song has a spooky feel to it and i love it. In my opinion it's the best way they could've ended the album i actually think this song should've been the last song on this album. The final track on this album is called "Young Lion" this song has a really nice classical piano feel to it what i enjoy i just think it could have been better, but i don't get me wrong i do like this track. This album is amazing and very close to perfect if this album had maybe a couple more songs like "Unbelievers" and "Diane Young" it would've been a perfect 10. I give Vampire Weekend's third full length album "Modern Vampires of the City" a solid 9 out of 10.… Expand
  6. RedOwlReviews
    Feb 5, 2014
    9
    Few albums in 2013 were crafted as intelligently as Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires of the City." The album bursts with creativity andFew albums in 2013 were crafted as intelligently as Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires of the City." The album bursts with creativity and technical brilliance. Coruscating and groovy tracks like "Diane Young" and haunting but rhythmically bright tracks like "Unbelievers" and "Ya Hey" both serve as a testament to this album's efforts to not succumb to the popular trends of past musical styles, but instead, carve out its own name (while maintaining the integrity they have established in their past two albums). Vampire Weekend has set new standards that will be hard to beat for any upcoming alternative albums this year.

    FINAL SCORE: 92.5 (almost perfect -----o--------------- perfect)    … Expand
  7. Muddsjr
    Feb 22, 2014
    8
    Modern Vampires of the City is Vampire Weekend's darkest album that might lack in that familiar ground that made Vampire Weekend, VampireModern Vampires of the City is Vampire Weekend's darkest album that might lack in that familiar ground that made Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend in the first place, but after a few plays and a few more times to adjust to Vamp's more experimental and dark ground, as it turns out, Modern Vampires of the City might just be a clean page for this phenomenal, endlessly surprising and creative band.… Expand
  8. PeteP
    Jun 15, 2013
    0
    I love the first 2 albums of Vampire Weekend. They are energetic and spontaneously played! Almost every song makes me move and believe me I amI love the first 2 albums of Vampire Weekend. They are energetic and spontaneously played! Almost every song makes me move and believe me I am not a dancer. I was looking forward for their 3rd album, the critics were positive... To be honest: it was a great disappointment the first time. I tried a 2nd time; let it rest for 2 weeks and tried a 3rd time. No improvement in my experience. Probably the album has been over produced/thought and the music does not embrace me as the first 2 albums.
    I will continue listening the first 2 albums and try to forget this bad experience. It was such a disappointment that I created a account on this fantastic site to share the thoughts of Vampire Weekend lover with you.    … Expand

See all 64 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best Album of 2013
24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2013
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2013

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