Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear

2009, Warp, 11 tracks at 53 min.

Dumb title of this review aside ('Pack of cubs'? Is that even an actual bear-related term?), this album is supposed to sound like the Beach Boys, right? Because it does. "Two Weeks"? More like "Brian Wilson's Two Weeks", amirite? Apparently some people think this album is boring, because it's too "Grizzly Lite," whatever the fuck that means. I really haven't heard that much Grizzly Bear before, but what I have heard ("Easier," "He Hit me"), I did enjoy. But this? This is fantastic. Indie rock 4eva!

Anyway, we all know this album is supposed to so amazing and all, so I'll just review some superficial things about it.

Album art: Yellow House had that pastoral snuff film going on with its seventies-yellow cover, and it looked just gorgeous. If you were a complete weirdo like me, you looked at that cover and said, "Oh, boy, I'd bet it be nice to live there!" But Veckatimest? Looks like some under grad's color field painting assignment.
2.5/5

Song titles: There are some pretty good titles here. "Two Weeks" is a little ambiguous and sly; it sounds like it could be a Sunny Day Real Estate song. Kinda. And "Foreground"? Impressive use of spatial vocabulary, Christopher Bear and friends. Impressive use.
3/5

Album title: I feel like an ass recommending this to people.
"So, heard the new Grizzly Bear yet?"
"Nah, what's it called?"
"Uh, Veck-uh-tuh-mist, or something."
2/5

Jokes aside, this is a great album. I'm not quite sure if this falls under a distinct category---psych folk, baroque psycho, orchestra retro pop, folk pop--but the whole album is just gorgeous melodically.

The 2009 Holy Trinity thus far: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Middle Cyclone, and Veckatimest. Congrats, Grizzly Chaps---you deserve a Dos Equis. Or should I say a few cans of Hamm's?

RATING:

Buy from Amazon Mp3
Listen to "Foreground"