User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 321 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 288 out of 321
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Mixed: 19 out of 321
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Negative: 14 out of 321
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Jul 22, 2011It's rare to find an album as perfect as this. Vampire Weekend has such a unique sound and flavor if you will that it makes it impossible not to love. A very impressive start to a very impressive new band.
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AaaronS.May 10, 2008A music blogger sensation earlier this year. Highly overrated pop record that I chalk up to 'I don't get it'.
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J.HolidayJan 30, 2008Another one from the hype machine. Unimpressive.
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Apr 25, 2012A truly interesting album. Vampire Weekend introduces unfamiliar instruments and world sounds to an American audience, but still manages to the stay within the idiom of western rock. A worthwhile listen from beginning to end.
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Oct 7, 2013A perfect album trough and through. The self-titled album is one of the most refreshing pieces in modern music. Arcade Fire has almost seemingly invented a style of music than can be defined as the "Vampire Weekend Style." A perfect album, no song is a let down, it's pure fun that makes one envision themselves in Cape Cod.
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tizrizFeb 7, 2008Cheesy college pop pooh, nothing too original besides some crafty percussion to enhance what otherwise sounds like something you may hear at a high school talent show. Like a cover version of the police meeting a sufjan Stevens fan and making a disc over the weekend in their garage....I don't get the hype.
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AlonsoM.Mar 19, 2008If the Pet Shop Boys reunited and recorded an album without rehearsing after they split up, this is what it would sound like. The rich white guy steals black guy's music thing worked for Elvis but that was 50 years ago and white people need to steal somebody else's music.
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HillaryC.Mar 3, 2008Bill and I love this album... except for the afro influences.
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JayM.Jan 29, 2008Rstricted by its need to remain uncomplicated, ok- if you like twee pop with some badly recorded drums.
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GregC.Feb 9, 2008The critics have claimed they are their new darlings. The new Strokes they say. What creative Afro-pop they say. Afro-junk played by silly white kids. Painful to listen to really. I've never been in a fight but I want to fight these guys already. Enough with the bright sweaters, collared shirts, and dreamy days at sea.
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DuaneJ.Mar 15, 2008Either I'm getting old or my ears are getting bad. Heard about them and decide to watch them on SNL-not good. He can't sing and the music was fair.
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MikeRApr 14, 2008As their name suggests, they definitely suck.
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IsaacR.Apr 27, 2008Kinda stuck up in how highly it thinks of itself, just like the band.
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Ericd.May 30, 2008*sniff* *sniff*....is that dookie i smell?
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Jan 30, 2012Vampire Weekends solid self-titled debut mixes clever lyrics, interesting pop melodies, and just average instrumentals.
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GuillaumePopFeb 2, 2008I don't understand all this critics, it's just a good album, nothing more!
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DavidO.Mar 10, 2008Fantastic. But then again, I'm a sucker for funky, slightly different pop, and that's exactly what this is.
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MM.Mar 1, 2008One of the early front runners. Superb musicianship and songwriting. Just an outstanding debut.
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ChadS.Jan 30, 2008
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AlexBFeb 2, 2008A fun, poppy indie release with many idiosyncratic flourishes, in the same vein as Spoon. Very good!
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[Anonymous]Mar 5, 2008Very catch album that I don't get tired of listening to!
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GregH.Mar 6, 2008Very enjoyable album. Like most releases that come with lots of indie hype, I was quite skeptical about this album but it's actually quite good. Solid songs, good execution...just a fun record. Every time it's over, I just want to start again from the beginning.
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JimmyT.Mar 8, 2008one fantastic track doesn't make a good album.
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CrystalS.May 19, 2008I don't think this album is overrated like some of the reviewers. I think its one of the best of the year and deserves the praise it has gotten. I can listen to the whole album through without skipping a song and each song sounds different than the next. M79 is one of the most original songs I have heard in years, and a-punk is the kind of catchy song you can listen to on repeat for days.
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JonathanS.Feb 8, 2009
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JustinM.Feb 1, 2008Can an album be more likeable? It's so PLEASING in so many ways. Great new sound, with throwbacks to early Police albums and believe it or not, Paul Simon's Graceland. Great energy and airy open beats and tones. Love it.
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IlyaRFeb 2, 2008
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DavidY.Feb 29, 2008I played the opening lick to "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" at a party the other night and everyone thought it was Paul Simon's "Graceland." There is NO God.
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RyanS.Feb 3, 2008
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RuiT.Feb 6, 2008Three words to this album: Top! Top! Top! Indie-pop-rock-funk-african-classical music! Life is Sun! Life is Fun! Life is Vampire Weekend...when we are Young!
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KenH.Feb 7, 2008Its fun but 90% forgettable afro-pop. There's some drumwork that is downright boring and it detracts from several of the tracks. The Talking Heads, early English Beat and Madness did this _much_ better. Really, listen to Madness' first CD and tell me differently.
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MicahC.Feb 7, 2008You can go ahead and shut down the voting for album of the year. Hopefully '09 will provide us something so inspired so early. The Strokes are back.
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NatalieM.Mar 22, 2008Koodos to these kids!! My 73 year old mother turned me on to these young kids from NY after she saw them on SNL. My mother loves ALL types of music. We are thrilled that these young kids are so versatile. Their CD is very lively and reminds us a bit of Paul Simon & TheTalking Heads, too. We so hope they can continue putting out such unique music. We'll be watching them!!
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PaulCMar 3, 2008I enjoyed it quite a bit. Sure it's pretty derivative, but it's also pretty fun.
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JasonB.Apr 1, 2008Either I'm getting stupid or I SHOULD rate an entire album that I've never heard before based on a 2 song live performance.
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HannahE.Apr 2, 2008Definitely my favorite band of the moment. Fresh, Fun, very catchy songs and lyrics...but not too catchy. I love every song. Quite inventive and original.
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twMay 13, 2008Full of catchy hooks and good-time riffs and rat-a-tat drums.
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ChristopherH.May 2, 2008Feel good album, good beat and one to slap on for sure pure heavenly delight
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DavidR.Jun 21, 2008The backlash against this band is amusing. He does sound an awful lot like Paul Simon circa Graceland, esp. on Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. Great songs though, undeniably so. Fun, unoffensive music to throw on a party or when simply relaxing on a saturday. Weightless sure, but hard to dislike.
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MikeC.Jun 22, 2008There has been a lot of anti-hype backlash around this album. That basically means that people aren't giving it a chance because they keep hearing about how great it is. Well it is great, so instead of giving it low scores just sit back and listen to one of the best releases of the year.
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RyanSFeb 4, 2009Love this album so much. Original and exciting music in my opinion. I listened to the whole album in one go at first and instantly felt connected to them.
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EvilEdFeb 6, 2009Lets not get carried away here. There are some good songs on this album but there not THAT good.
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MarcosE.Jan 28, 2008Rally 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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JeremyG.Jan 29, 2008Listening 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.
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RoachCoachJan 31, 2008Great if only because they don't clutter their melodic sounds with layers of annoying sounds of whizzing cars and screaming people played backwards.
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WillO.Jan 31, 2008
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KurtC.Jan 30, 2008
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ThomaskFeb 1, 2008I'm not one to buy into the "hype machine" but this is a pretty strong album. This is irreverent music that avoids being overly precious or pretentious. Great poppy tunes. Lyrics are so-so, but the instrumentation makes up for any shortcomings in lyrics.
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TheUn-snobFeb 12, 2008
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MattA.Feb 13, 2008It's solid but these people declaring them the new Strokes and that this is album of the year already are ridiculous. Hot Chip and Cadence Weapon's releases this year are far superior.
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LaunceR.Feb 16, 2008I think this odd and catchy mix of Jonathon Richmond, the Lefte Bank and maybe Peter Gabriel or some other world-beaty type thingy... Highly recommended, natch.
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JohnDFeb 18, 2008I doubt I'll still be listening to this album by the end of the year, and it's hard to get emotionally invested in, but it's still worth a look.
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EricC.Feb 2, 2008
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JackB.Feb 28, 2008Neat african beats mixed w/ some throwback punk lines.
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MatL.Feb 6, 2008The songs here aren't especially deep or profound, but they sure are catchy. There's a lot to be said for the quality of musicianship here. The percussion is fantastic, it manages to hold the whole album together and maintain the whole afropop thing they have going. Definitely worth a listen, which will in turn warrant many more.
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JenniferKFeb 6, 2008A refreshing reason to be excited about music again! Their sound uses an incredible array of sound without ever over-appropriating, and their lyrics actually make you think. My favorite band in a long, long time.
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C.KimMar 12, 2008Wow. All I can say is I'm telling all my friends about Vampire Weekend. I've never taking a liking to a band just after listening to their first track.
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GilbertSmithMar 16, 2008i Love it. It's the best thing since Hannah Montana season !!!!!
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HeidiMar 22, 2008yea.... the Police, Paul Simon, & The Islands (which was better) Got it. Done.
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AndrewMar 22, 2008
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SoupS.Mar 27, 2008Not brilliant, but it's enjoyable in its own way. It kinda reminds me of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, in that they're just playing pop music, and doing it fairly well. Also in that they're way overhyped, considering what they're doing.
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SteveO.Apr 11, 2008A-Punk is good but when the band tries to explore African tribe stuff, it sucks. Stick to the basics please.
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AdamBApr 16, 2008Get past the hype and actually listen to this album. It's one of the more tuneful and joyous albums I heard in quite a while. The Afro-po influence may seem a bit gimmicky at first but having really good songs along with mostly clever lyrics to match gets you beyond gimmick and into "just a good band" territory.
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MichaelS.Apr 21, 2008Entertaining, but finally lightweight.
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BrianS.Apr 23, 2008Fantastic debut, one of my favorite groups to come out recently, extremely innovative and talented.
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JyotirmayaD.Apr 6, 2008Finally a band that doesn't strive to be The Strokes. These songs are very upbeat and refreshing. A very good album.
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MarcoS.Jun 11, 2008F*ck yeah! one of the best of 2008. Every melody defines them.
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DavidH.Aug 14, 2008Full of originality, fresh sounds and melodies that you can hum all day long. Pure euphoria.
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MaxM.Sep 17, 2008Just a bit overrated.
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RyanM.Nov 18, 2008It's been months and months since I first heard this album. Still, to this day, I always find myself coming back for a listen. I greatly enjoy music and the lyrics. I personally think this is a very talented band with an impressive debut album.
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JimHNov 21, 2008It remains to be ssen whether cokemachineglow is too obsessively hipper-than-thou and deserves the long-term favour it seems to have with metacritic's rating system.
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DiegoC.Dec 17, 2008Can't stop listening to this album. Vampire Weekend is the best album of 2008. Period.
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AllanC.Jan 29, 2008This 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.
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JDW.Jan 29, 2008So 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!!
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MarkK.Jan 29, 2008Impressive debut from a great band with plenty of potential. Great tunes with a breezy pop feeling.
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ZeroS.Jan 29, 2008Paul 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.
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DavidPFeb 13, 2008Good clean fun, but overhyped and overrated. Also too much filler for such a short release.
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MulisK.Feb 14, 2008Very melodic, very funny, very nice.
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RandyPFeb 18, 2008Super fun album, but I fear the inevitable backlash from the hipster cognoscente has already begun.
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RobbieCMar 11, 2008It's fresh and funky. Is it amazing? No.
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PeterS.Mar 13, 2008I put up about 5 days of resistance.
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KGFReezeMar 17, 2008Overrated, fine songs but nothing super-special. "But they sound kinda like Paul Simon and incorporate afro-beat!" 1) I've heard Talking Heads and they are waaay better and 2) same deal with Paul Simon and it was 20 years ago.
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ErikH.Mar 23, 2008Great album, catchy... "Walcott" is the sing-a-long of the Spring.
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TJ.Apr 19, 2008A vibrant, fresh listen the whole way. Yes, the band is of a certain time and place, but it's a pretty fun one and they made a fantastic album with a sound that isn't entirely new but not even close to being played out either.
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JasonSApr 22, 2008I'm really trying to like this album. Anytime the keyboards play, the band has depth and sounds pretty fun. Without the keys, some of their songs sound like they were recorded by a crappy ska band. Especially the lead single. Take the keys out and A-punk sounds like it was recorded by 8th graders.
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GigiM.Apr 24, 2008One of the best of 2008. As soon as it's over, I play it again.
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CaseyP.Jun 27, 2008
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TomPAug 21, 2008A very good debut ablum....but I don't know, everyone says they must have been listening to afropop, but it also seems likely that they were listening to Bows & Arrows by The Walkmen. (Listen to "What's in it for Me", "Thinking of a Dream" and definetly "138th Street" which has a nearly identical riff to Campus.) I'd have to say this is the superior album though.
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AshleyM.Sep 22, 2008
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Oct 6, 2010Songs such as One and Mansard Roof are terrible additions to an album that contains the pure awesomeness of M79, A-Punk and Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa. This album is so over hyped and is merely favoured for being a splash of Indie in the otherwise bland Pop machine that is the mainstream
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Mar 18, 2011Fantastic. Engaging and creative band, with similar characteristics to the Hives. I agree with Chads, Is Vampire Weekend this generation's Talking Heads, undoubtedly :)
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Mar 31, 2012Vampire Weekend is a unique indie band. Their self-titled debut album has everything you'd hope for in an indie debut. Catchy songs, witty lyrics, and simple crafts that ultimately make this album one of the best albums of my generation. All In All, Vampire Weekend is a great record that never gets old. A-
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Feb 8, 2014Genre: Alternative
The debut album from Vampire Weekend quickly established them as one of my favourite bands. A great mix of upbeat and slower tempo tunes that are all stamped with their own unique quality. -
Apr 21, 2020
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Jun 4, 2013
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Nov 9, 2012The most original album released in years, Vampire Weekend has given us a taste of something great here.
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Mar 8, 2013Hmmm... I guess people dont understand this is a review for the album not a review for 2 live songs. But anyways, this album is fun and entertaining. Call it unoriginal but guess what?? NOTHING is original anymore. Come on get real people...
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Aug 20, 2015Vampire Weekend's debut album is aesthetically appealing but lyrically esoteric. Ezra Coeing has a great voice for portraying how strange the subject matter is.
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Apr 29, 2020Some good singles but so much filler, they have a good sound but some songs on this album are a bit fluffy
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Jul 10, 2013This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
Awards & Rankings
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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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Listeners are only too lucky to get a hot breath of summer fun in these cold winter months.
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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.