Music Snitch

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

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Maps & Atlases – MySpace

On the way to see Vampire Weekend play at Firestone in Orlando, I realized I had no idea if there was even an opening band. Well, unfortunately there was an opening band, Harlem Shakes. To be fair, when the music started playing, I was immediately intrigued by the tight, fresh sound but when the lead singer stepped up to the microphone it was all down hill.

It sounded like Mumbles, the character from Dick Tracy, decided to get drunk, inhale some helium and sing a song with no actual lyrics. It was difficult to appreciate the other aspects of Harlem Shakes because my ears were semi-bleeding. Oh, and my friend pointed out that the lead singer was apparently tricked into wearing the puffy pirate shirt Seinfeld loved so much.

There is not too much to say about Vampire Weekend live, besides they are good and there was certainly a lot of bouncing going on in the crowd. Koenig’s voice was crisp, the atmosphere was fun and the bass player’s funky yet totally subtle dance moves added some character. In a live setting, it is way more noticeable how short Vampire Weekend’s songs are. I personally wish they would have extended some of the songs that riled up the crowd, like A-Punk.

Put away your holy water, crucifixes and garlic because this is one kind of vampire you’ll want to get acquainted with. Vampire Weekend has an eclectically refreshing sound and a coolness that is often associated with New York grown bands. The members of Vampire Weekend are recent graduates of Columbia University and it’s obvious that these collegiate scholars managed to stay awake during music appreciation class.

There is so much musical buzz surrounding Vampire Weekend, it’s as if they reside on a honey farm. By merging various cultural music styles such as Afro-Pop and Rock, Vampire Weekend created a lackadaisically friendly sound that could make even a frown smile. The band has described their style as, “Upper West Side Soweto,” a genre directly associated with Mr. Paul Simon. More often than not, the bulk of attention Vampire Weekend receives pertains to their invigorating new sound and how to classify it. However, there is another very strong element that should not be overlooked and that is their lyrics. Vampire Weekend’s lyrics are smart and whimsical…seriously, how many quality albums include references to, Punctuation, Lil’ Jon, Architecture, Benetton, Dharamsala and Peter Gabriell. Their lyrics easily get stuck in your brain, even after one listen, “Who Gives A Fuck About An Oxford Comma.” Koening’s clear voice also assists the lyrical effectiveness, as it parallels the pace and vibe of each song. Simply put, the lyrics make you want to listen and the music makes you want to move. Stand Out Tracks: A-Punk, Oxford Comma, Mansard Roof

Vampire Weekend’s self-titled debut album will be available on January 29th. You can order it on Amazon.com or iTunes.

Vampire Weekend’s WebSite