This is a new feature I will be doing occasionally where I will take an artist, listen to their entire discography, and let you know which songs and albums you should listen to from them. I'll also go into details on who's in the band, what kind of music they play, and other stuff like that. I think the best place to start with this new feature should probably be a band that I already have listened to a countless amount of times, my favorite band, Vampire Weekend.
Formed in: 2006
Band Members: Ezra Koenig (Lead vocals, lead guitar), Rostam Batmanglij (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Chris Tomson (Drums, vocals), Chris Baio (bass guitar, vocals)
Style of Music: Indie Rock, Indie Pop
Number of Albums: 3
History: The 4 members of Vampire Weekend met while attending Columbia University. They bonded together over a mutual appreciation of punk rock and African music (as most friendships start). The name Vampire Weekend was chosen from the title of a short film project that Koenig was working on but eventually abandoned. A few of the songs on Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut album are based on this short film project, which was about a man named Walcott who goes to Cape Cod to warn the mayor that Vampires are attacking the United States. After the band graduated from college, the band self-produced their first album, and eventually released it in early 2008.
Ranking of Albums
3. Contra
Track Listing
1. "Horchata"
2. "White Sky"
3. "Holiday"
4. "California English"
5. "Taxi Cab"
6. "Run"
7. "Cousins"
8. "Giving Up the Gun"
9. "Diplomat's Son"
10. "I Think Ur a Contra"
Although there are some great songs on here like 'Horchata,' 'White Sky,' and 'Giving Up the Gun,' Contra is Vampire Weekend's weakest album. It lacks the fluidness of Modern Vampires of the City and the consistency of Vampire Weekend. With that being said, I like Vampire Weekend's worst album more than many other albums in the indie rock genre. Still definitely worth a listen.
2. Vampire Weekend
Track Listing
1. "Mansard Roof"
2. "Oxford Comma"
3. "A-Punk"
4. "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
5. "M79"
6. "Campus"
7. "Bryn"
8. "One (Blake's Got A New Face)"
9. "I Stand Corrected"
10. "Walcott"
11. "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance"
Of Vampire Weekend's entire discography, this self-titled album has the most obvious African music influence. Chant-like vocals from Koenig throughout, and African-like percussion in songs such as 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa' and 'The Kids Don't Stand a Chance' represent their African music influence, while the more punky 'Walcott' and 'A-Punk' show their more indie rock side. I think the fact that some of the lyrics are influenced from Ezra's abandoned short film project is awesome. And the music here sounds fresh, which I think is part of the reason why this album was very well-received, and shot Vampire Weekend up into popularity.
1. Modern Vampires of the City
Track Listing
1. "Obvious Bicycle"
2. "Unbelievers"
3. "Step"
4. "Diane Young"
5. "Don't Lie"
6. "Hannah Hunt"
7. "Everlasting Arms"
8. "Finger Back"
9. "Worship You"
10. "Ya Hey"
11. "Hudson"
12. "Young Lion"
Vampire Weekend's third and most recent album, which was released last year, has the band back with a slightly different sound then they did in their previous two albums. This album has more of a choir, church-like feel, mixed with their usual pop/rock sound. Koenig has some of his best, most creative lyrics in this album. Some of the highlights of this album (as well as their entire career) are 'Step,' 'Ya Hey,' and 'Everlasting Arms.' It's best to listen to this album in order from start to finish because the songs flow into each other really well.
Although I think it's best to just listen to entire albums, some people would rather have a list of songs to listen to before they commit to a band or an album. So here is Vampire Weekend's 15 most essential songs:
Essential Songs
(I'm not including A-Punk or Diane Young because I would guess most people have already heard them. Also this is not in any specific order.)
1. Oxford Comma
2. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
3. M79
4. Walcott
5. Horchata
6. White Sky
7. Giving Up the Gun
8. Cousins
9. Step
10. Ya Hey
11. Everlasting Arms
12. Unbelievers
13. Hannah Hunt
14. Ladies of Cambridge (Bonus song on the Japanese version of the album Vampire Weekend)
15. Ottoman (song made for the film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)
Feel free to comment with what songs or albums you consider better than others. Also if you have any suggestions on what other artists I should do for the Artist Spotlight feature, please let me know (Although I'll probably just do what I want anyway).
~Ryan Moncrief
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