If countless sold out shows across the US and Europe is an accurate indication of fan interest, I would say people are pretty excited about Vampire Weekend’s new music. So after two years, was it worth the wait?  My first impression…yeah, there are some pretty neat tracks on ‘Contra’, but give me a few more listens because I don’t get it yet.

“Horchata” (the first single) kicks off the album with some harmonium drone and is followed by the track, “White Sky”, a song you might recognize if you’ve seen Vampire Weekend live.  Next up is the track, “California English”, which has been receiving some mixed attention due to the autotune effect on Ezra Koenig’s voice.  Why so surprised/disappointed folks…did you forget about Vampire Weekend’s previous fascination with Lil Jon?  It makes perfect and reasonable sense; Vampire Weekend is obviously intrigued by “Lil” things.

About halfway through the album  you arrive at the track, “Cousins”, which is the most memorable part of ‘Contra’ for me.   It’s frenetic, clever, and highlights the bands’ ability to create fresh sounding music.  The last three tracks on the album seem to be unnecessarily long, they sound promising during the first minute or so, but they aren’t really attention holders.

Now, after multiple encounters with ‘Contra’, I come away mostly ambivalent with a couple new additions to my “currently into” playlist. I do not think this album is as immediate as their debut; it requires a bit of persistence…so go grab a granola bar.

Also, a full album review is coming soon to Music Snitch…so stay tuned.  And if you haven’t already, pick up a free download of ‘Contra’s’ first single, “Horchata,” here.

Vampire Weekend

Ezra Koenig offered a bit of background information regarding the track, “Horchata” (NME): The percussionist who plays a bunch of stuff on “Horchata” is a Brazilian guy named Mauro Refosco,” he explained. “We just heard he’s joined Thom Yorke’s band. He’s an amazing percussionist.

Take A Listen: Horchata from Vampire Weekend
Download: Horchata (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/08 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
10/15 – London, UK @ King’s College
10/22 – Paris, FR @ Nouveau Casino
11/02 – Long Beach, CA @ The Art Theater
11/05 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s
11/07 – Lafayette, CA @ Town Hall Theatre
11/08 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst
11/09 – Visalia, CA @ The Cellar Door
11/10 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
11/12 – Bakersfield, CA @ Chencho’s
11/14 – Lomita, CA @ VFW Hall
11/17 – Tokyo, JAP @ Tokyo Unit
11/21 – Sydney, AUS @ Oxford Art Factory

Vampire Weekend – Website

Contra TrackList:
01 – Horchata
02 – White Sky
03 – Holiday
04 – California English
05 – Taxi Cab
06 – Run
07 – Cousins
08 – Giving Up the Gun
09 – Diplomat’s Son
10 – I Think Ur A Contra

Take A Listen: White Sky from Vampire Weekend (Live on Fallon)

Download: White Sky (Live) (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

Vampire Weekend – Website

The albums’ title track, which features Ezra Koenig (of Vampire Weekend), is a light-hearted afro-pop tune that brings the word “jovial” to mind.

Take A Listen: Warm Heart of Africa by The Very Best

Download: Warm Heart of Africa (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox)

The Very Best – MySpace

I feel like I am going to be shunned and placed into some type of music blogger purgatory for saying this but, I am not really loving either of these tracks. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot, in fact both of these bands are in a heavy and constant rotation on my ipod. Perhaps if I heard these songs not knowing who the artists were, I would be more satisfied, but I expected to be all giddified by the musical outcome of two great bands merging. Of the two tracks that I have heard, ‘Orange Shirt’ is the one I prefer, although I am not sure its play count will sky rocket anytime soon. I have my fingers crossed for the LP.

Take A Listen: Orange Shirt by Discovery

Take A Listen: Osaka Loop Line by Discovery

Download: Orange Shirt by Discovery (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox

Download: Osaka Loop Line (Right click on link and select “Save Target As” in IE or “Save Link As” in Firefox

Discovery – MySpace

Maps & Atlases has been a little dormant since their last EP, “You and Me And The Mountain’ but, now they are back and sharing a new demo song, “Pigeon.” This song will apparently be included on their upcoming full-length album, which they are recording in late April for a release in late Summer/ early Fall 2009.

And yes, this song reminds me of Vampire Weekend’s sound on their debut album.

Take A Listen: Pigeon by Maps & Atlases

Maps & Atlases – MySpace