vampire weekend - only god was above us, out april 5, 2024

Not sure #11 in the UK is much to sing about. All the Twitter terfs got Roisin to #5 and this week The Libertines made #1

fotb is also a double album. do they still count each "sale" of a double album as two sales?

It -- like alot of newer albums -- was only a double on vinyl. Otoh, most of the sales probably *were* on vinyl, so...

I do feel that Billboard's chicanery probably screwed a little with the new. Most of the people willing to buy this band's stuff on physical are going to do it at an indie shop. On that tip, they might even be waiting until this weekend and RSD to buy it there.

the New Jersey thread remains one of my favorite ILM experiences ever. to each his own, i guess.

anyway, VW is coming to my podunk town to play an 8K-cap amphitheater and they are better than any of the other dozens of bands playing the venue this summer. whether the place will be full or a quarter full, i'm stoked.

In my head FOTB was underwhelming not because it was a hollow recitation of VW’s winning formula but because it mostly jettisoned various components of that formula, which components turned out to have been a crucial part of the band’s appeal - this is really underscored by how precisely my increased enjoyment of OGWAU correlates to the appearance of a course correction. But maybe I am idiosyncratic on this point and the surprising arrangements and flourishes aren’t that important to most VW fans?

because you specifically are rad, don't change

Right back at ya, Austin.

I gotta ask what does it even mean to be a “new jersey” I’m reading without knowing what that reference is.

Every huge artist has their "New Jersey" - a huge event album that ultimately feels a bit hollow & signals a career decline

Not sure #11 in the UK is much to sing about. All the Twitter terfs got Roisin to #5 and this week The Libertines made #1

― groovypanda, Wednesday, 17 April 2024 19:22 (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

i wasn't singling it out as a good thing. the previous three were all top three. the scotland chart intrigues me though as i feel releases by long established rock/indie/whatever acts almost always do better there(?), even if the actual sales numbers are probably small

In my head FOTB was underwhelming not because it was a hollow recitation of VW’s winning formula but because it mostly jettisoned various components of that formula, which components turned out to have been a crucial part of the band’s appeal - this is really underscored by how precisely my increased enjoyment of OGWAU correlates to the appearance of a course correction. But maybe I am idiosyncratic on this point and the surprising arrangements and flourishes aren’t that important to most VW fans?

FOTB not a New Jersey.

I resist coming back to this one (although I quite like most of the tunes) because of the clattery, compressed production. In particular the drums — I hate them. I hate the way they sound, and I hate the space they take up in the mix. They actively annoy me while I’m listening.

I think I’m v much in the minority on this.

You are, but not alone!

Having LOTS OF THINGS HAPPENING FAST on the drums does not equal "good beats."

― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Friday, April 5, 2024 3:16 PM (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink

Perhaps inevitably from its grave debuting sales, it only lasted one week on either the US or UK charts. (Actually, I'd have expected at least a second week in the UK, at number 76 or something, but nah).

Only God Can Chart Us

Vampire Weakened

I dunno, they are playing 4 nights in London at 3-5000 capacity venues so I think there is still a solid audience for them (and two nights in Manchester) - I'm looking forward to it anyway...

They pretty much sold out two nights at MSG with over five months to go. Maybe they've already turned into a legacy act - no one buys the new stuff but they'll pay big for an arena show?

16 years since their debut album. For the stones it was basically Tattoo you (64-81). Yeah maybe they are legacy act for aged fans now !

Good episode of NYT Popcast hosted by Jon Pareles feat. Amanda Petrusich and Matthew Strauss

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/arts/music/popcast-vampire-weekend.html

without any evidence or argument to back up my position: my feeling is this would have performed better if they hadn't gone major

They did that a long time ago; I reckon over 90% of Vampire Weekend songs are in a major key

Get your limited edition VW metrocard:

https://www.amny.com/transit/vampire-weekend-metrocards-available-manhattan/

You’d think they’d have one with the album cover.

Yeah, it does seem like Steven Siegel the cover photographer/artist might've denied them the rights for this purpose, since it would've worked perfectly.