Hate them or love them (I got between both regularly), Pitchfork has undeniable power. This show was book ended by two acts that the ultra-schmarm website helped bring to notoriety. Portland’s Blitzen Trapper and Seattle’s Fleet Foxes. Both have enjoyed some time in their “best new music” section. The former for last year’s amazing Wild Mountain Nation and the latter’s flawless EP last month Sun Giant. Grand Archives were on the bill too with some guy who was in some band called Band of Horses or something like that. Oh and all three bands happen to be on Sub Pop records. No. Big. Deal.
Fleet Foxes opened the night to a slowly trickling in audience who all upon entering, quickly stopped in the middle of the club and directed their attention to the beautiful and ethereal vocals that were being created on stage. The band absolutely stole the show before the other bands even got a chance with tracks like “Drops in the River” from the EP and “Oliver James” from their upcoming full length that is due out in June. I could say many great things about this band, but I’m sure you’ve already heard all the praise or at least will be very soon.
Many Band of Horses fans were a little worried when co-founder Matt Brooke left the group back in 2006. Luckily they’re first album without him was last fall’s Cease to Begin which proved to be their best work yet. And now those previously worried fans can took further comfort in the fact that Brooke has just released an excellent album with his new project Grand Archives. Released on Sub Pop (of course), Grand Archives often sounds like Chutes Too Narrow-era Shins and you guessed it, Band of Horses with touches of Badly Drawn Boy, The Beatles, and Elliot Smith’s XO. Upon taking the stage Brooke quickly acknowledged the difficult task of following up Fleet Foxes. The group, also from Seattle did their best though and played through a very entertaining set that was highlighted by “Miniature Birds” and “Sleepdriver”.
Capping the night was Blitzen Trapper who I remember watching in small terrible bars in Eugene, OR just a few years ago. They may actually be the hardest working band in music. They did their thing in Portland for 9 years before they finally started getting much deserved national and international attention. With a catalog of what is probably hundreds of songs, they mostly kept to tracks off Wild Mountain Nation and a new tour only EP that they’ll be selling for the next few months while they are on the road. Be sure to pick it up, “Jericho” is the EP’s standout track and was one of the high points for the night.
Fleet Foxes:
Grand Archives:
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March 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
michael
In the interest of accuracy, we have played only 2 shows in Eugene and have been together for 8 years, not 9. But yes, we have back catalog of hundreds and hundreds of songs, none of which we remember how to play anyway. Thanks for the plug and rokkit don’t stop!
love,
Michael
Blitzen Trapper