WHAT MATT LIASSE THINKS:
In 2006, four students attending Columbia University in New York City formed a band and began playing shows in coffee houses. Now, Vampire Weekend is on their way to record a live album at the same studio The Beatles recorded “Abbey Road.”
One may ask what it takes to have such success. For this band, it’s threefold, and all qualities are found on their sophomore album, “Contra.”
The first ingredient is song lyrics revolving around topics only suitable for listeners studying hard in college (two of the album’s song titles are “Horchata” and “Diplomat’s Son.”) The four guys are clearly educated, and they like to show it in their songs.
Second of all, their original sound does wonders for their popularity. Ezra Koenig’s soothing, British-sounding vocals and their catchy, yet mature afro beat-type indie song arrangements set them apart from other bands. They have created a sound that makes them easily distinguishable after a minute of listening.
Thirdly, the mood of their songs does nothing but put smiles on faces. The band’s opening track rhymes Horchata (a sweet beverage popular in Mexico) with balaclava (a woolen hood covering one’s head and neck usually worn by mountain climbers,) Aranciata (a brand of carbonated mineral water) and Masada (a mountaintop fortress in Israel.)
Vampire Weekend crushes any ideas of a sophomore slump with “Contra,” giving the band more of what they offered on their first self-titled album released in 2008.
There are two different ways the band sets up to entertain the listener. The first half of the album features fast-paced tunes averaging at three minutes each. This part of the album features choruses with no words but fun whines (“White Sky,”) brief usage of Auto-tune (“California English”) and a background of chirpy horns (“Run”). The final songs of the album feature songs closer to five and six minutes with the album conclusion dedicated to a person who has decided to turn their backs away from friendship which showcases VW most vulnerable side seen (“I Think UR A Contra”).
The band develops a name for themselves with “Contra” and create a piece of art unlike anything else heard from other artists of today. Now that The Beatles have given them space on Abbey Road, maybe there’s room for a Contra Road in NYC in the next years to come.
