CRACK UP | FLEET FOXES

10.23.17 I have been unfair to these guys. I think living in Seattle though the 90s and early 2000s in the heyday for the Seattle sound might be the reason. Like the the grunge, punk and indie sound of the time, or not, you gotta admit it had "cojones". Bands like Tad and Soundgarden shot gut-punching frequencies at our souls. In recent years the popular NW sound has become “cojone-less”. The Decemberist in Portland, and Seatle’s Death Cab For Cutie, Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses are so….non rocking. But why should they be.. everything is what it is and times change..I just miss cojones sometimes. 

In approaching this hear website I have said to myself, question everything, especially my own preconceived opinions. So I saw this record on Pitchfork with high marks I said to me, really listen to that at least a couple times through.     

The main thing I have noticed when listening to these fellas and former bandmate Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) is ECHO. While they may not employ quite as much echo as Phil Spector did in the 60s, it’s still quite prominent. Like with Band of Horses this sound can be effective in achieving mood and ambience to these recordings. Crack-Up is full of layers of natural strings and vocal harmonies. I love when tracks go from simple paired vocals and acoustic guitar to soaring string section accompanied plateaus. All in all I am glad I decided to question myself. I would say Crack Up is my favorite in Fleet Foxes catalog so far.