Veckatimest
by Grizzly Bear
  • Record Label: Warp
  • Release Date: May 26, 2009
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 216 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 199 out of 216
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 216
  3. Negative: 12 out of 216

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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 30, 2021
    8
    Ambitious yet restrained, elegant yet exciting, Veckatimest is an endlessly-rewarding album which seems destined to vie with Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion for the title of the year's best.
  2. KindaEnjoyMusic
    Feb 22, 2021
    10
    This I hands down one of my favorite albums of all time the songs are so different but so similar at the same time the album meshes perfectly together
  3. kman5473
    Jan 23, 2019
    9
    It legit took me since 2009 to understand this album; why it's appealing, what it's all about. It's now 2019 and I finally have connected with this music. It's an album that is as beautiful as it is unapologetic, as graceful as it is off-putting, as melodic and happy as it is melancholic and bizarre. It's everything I want out of an album: it's challenging, but incredibly rewarding toIt legit took me since 2009 to understand this album; why it's appealing, what it's all about. It's now 2019 and I finally have connected with this music. It's an album that is as beautiful as it is unapologetic, as graceful as it is off-putting, as melodic and happy as it is melancholic and bizarre. It's everything I want out of an album: it's challenging, but incredibly rewarding to spend time with to understand. Grizzly Bear is as good a band as any out there.… Expand
  4. LetzTalkMoveez
    Oct 21, 2012
    7
    While experimental and creative, Veckatimest is also quite remarkably catchy, which I feel is something that occasionally really disrupts the flow of the album in its trickiest, most complicated parts, but also helps it to not stay on one level the whole time. I'm not entirely sure how to feel, but it's definitely an album to listen to.
  5. Mundty
    Dec 6, 2011
    9
    Not an album to be breezed over, Grizzly Bear has created something special with it's 2009 release, Veckatimest. An album spanning many genres and influences, no two tracks are alike and each settle into a space that is all their own. From the happy and upbeat to the sad and somber, the album is fully realized only when listened to from start to finish. It's easy to dismiss this albumNot an album to be breezed over, Grizzly Bear has created something special with it's 2009 release, Veckatimest. An album spanning many genres and influences, no two tracks are alike and each settle into a space that is all their own. From the happy and upbeat to the sad and somber, the album is fully realized only when listened to from start to finish. It's easy to dismiss this album as simple, but upon numerous listen sessions subtle details come out that paint this record as far more complex a project in both it's arrangements and style. This is one for the books, a masterpiece of song writing, engineering, and performance.… Expand
  6. MusicIsMyFriend
    Nov 5, 2010
    10
    It's pulls you in with Two Weeks, and just grows on you from there on in. Grab your headphones and prepare to go on a musical journey for the next 50 minutes, almost every song is a classic and the album flows very well.
  7. Tubie
    Nov 2, 2010
    10
    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.
  8. timE
    Nov 27, 2009
    6
    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 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
  9. CurtisB
    Nov 24, 2009
    9
    Almost flawless.
  10. Steve
    Nov 7, 2009
    5
    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 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
  11. pat
    Sep 23, 2009
    7
    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.
  12. guybrushthreepwood
    Sep 10, 2009
    10
    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.
  13. GinoM
    Sep 9, 2009
    10
    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.
  14. SamT
    Sep 5, 2009
    10
    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.
  15. RooblinK
    Sep 1, 2009
    9
    A pleasant diversion from the mundane nature of most modern music.
  16. DavidS
    Aug 29, 2009
    9
    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 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
  17. MS
    Aug 13, 2009
    8
    A good album with some great musicianship. A little too 'polished' in places however.
  18. garys
    Jul 30, 2009
    10
    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.
  19. BruceC
    Jul 27, 2009
    1
    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 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
  20. JyotirmayaD
    Jul 27, 2009
    8
    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.
  21. BugBot
    Jul 26, 2009
    4
    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.
  22. BrettJ
    Jul 18, 2009
    0
    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.
  23. P.B
    Jul 10, 2009
    9
    Better with every listening.
  24. EliG
    Jul 3, 2009
    3
    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 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
  25. Jeang
    Jul 3, 2009
    3
    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.
  26. MattG
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    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 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
  27. LeoW
    Jun 27, 2009
    9
    Beautiful, astonishing, simplistic, mindblowing,and truly superior to 99% of anything else out there. In comparably unique.
  28. NickA
    Jun 26, 2009
    7
    This is a very good album by the Grizzlies.
  29. MeganM
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    Grizzly Bear
  30. MarkS
    Jun 21, 2009
    8
    Don
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best Album of 2009
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2009
21
#21 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. musicOMH.com
    90
    Ambitious yet restrained, elegant yet exciting, Veckatimest is an endlessly-rewarding album which seems destined to vie with Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion for the title of the year's best.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    80
    The album dips and tips and ultimately soars as a result, Rossen and company having turned near-disaster into sonic triumph.
    Read full review
  3. Spin
    80
    Even as they feature orchestras, women's choirs, and Beach House singer Victoria Legrand on Veckatimest, the album is still an intimate, ascetic affair.
    Read full review
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