Fleet Foxes, photo by Sean Pecknold
Last Monday night I chanced upon a band that quite easily became my latest local favorite. It was an unexpected outing at the behest of my brother and some friends, who swore up and down that this show would bring true enchantment. And as witness to Fleet Foxes' first show, I can happily confirm that they were oh-so right.
Okay, truth be told, it wasn't quite the first Fleet Foxes show. They played a show earlier this year up in Shoreline but, in the words of frontman Robin Pecknold, "That doesn't really count, now does it?" Regardless of chronological details, the show I saw was immensely impressive for so early in a band's life. The entire band exhibits an onstage ease that belies their young age, both as a band and as individuals (the average age of a Fleet Fox being a tender twenty-and-three-quarters).
Their delightful, pop-styled songs sounded tight but not rigid and got the crowd swaying along straightaway. With bell-toned guitars, bright keyboards, and a dash of shimmer round the edges, Fleet Foxes craft deliciously melody-driven songs that are intensely charming. Lyrics reference textbooks, classrooms, and Romeos on bicycles, all without sounding twee or absurd. And Robin's voice brings it all together — his vocals are sweet and yet solid, with a rich warmth that seals the deal.
Fleet Foxes are so newly born that the only place you can find them right now is on MySpace (though I expect that this will change very very soon). And while they don't have an official record out yet, they've been selling self-released EPs at their shows — even more incentive to see them live posthaste. With two shows already scheduled in the coming months (March 14 at Chop Suey, and April 5 at the Croc), allow Fleet Foxes to fill your springtime social calendar.
Reviews
1 TJK said on March 13, 2008
Just listened to a friend's copy of Sun Giant up here in Canada. The first track was "enchanting". I hope I get a chance to see them live.
TJK
2 Devian said on May 12, 2008
Fleet Foxes have quickly become my new favorite band due to their beautiful harmonies, haunting music and awesome lo-fi sound. I highly recommend them!!!!!!!! ~Devian (from the band Susan Get Down)
3 Chris Estey said on May 12, 2008
Good Lord, TIG is now a TIME MACHINE.
4 imaginary dana said on May 12, 2008
Yes, I believe this article is the first press the Fleet Foxes ever had!! Isn't it exciting to see how far the band has come?
5 colorado high said on August 5, 2008
Just heard the band on Craig Ferguson's show.....these guys have a really unique sound.....good things come from rain and mold. (I'm originally from Seattle and miss the rain, but not the mold!)
6 ted said on October 8, 2008
This is funny to see a band go from the pineapples to a great success. many thanks to seattle for fostering such a nice music scene.
7 jimmy jazz said on December 15, 2008
hey ted, it isn't hard to rise to the top when your sister is one of the lead writer's at the seattle weekly and a major label subsidiary like sub pop is tossing you that much money in production.
ff do not impress me. sorry. forgettable songs overproduced by mr ek. throw in a flute and 15 layers of vocals. break the reverb dial by turning it to 'angelic baby, its angelic' setting. hooray. my morning jacket and band of horses recycled.
kill the reverb. get some politics. write songs you whose themes might leave the listener under the illusion of your actually having lived through.
for those of you who like them, cool, have fun at their shows. great you found something that grabs you. but don't make them out to be epic or having more than a 3 year shelf life. can't see either, sorry.
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