Saturday 25 April 2015

V is for Vampire Weekend



Vampire Weekend is an indie rock band made up of lead vocalist Ezra Koenig, guitarist/keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij, drummer Chris Tomson and bassist Chris Baio. They are renowned for their unique blend of punk rock and African music. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2008, and it contained the singles A-Punk, Mansard Roof, Oxford Comma, Cape Code Kwassa Kwassa and The Kids Don't Stand a Chance. Its release was met with critical acclaim.

Their second album, Contra, was released in 2010. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, and was also met with critical acclaim. It contained the singles Horchata, Cousins, Giving Up the Gun, Holiday, White Sky and Run. It was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards, but lost to Brothers by The Black Keys. They would eventually win in that same category with their third album, Modern Vampires of the City.

Released in 2013, their third album also debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, marking the first time that an independent rock band has managed to score two back-to-back #1 debuts on the chart. The album was ranked #1 for the year by several publications including Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. It produced four singles, Diane Young, Ya Hey, Unbelievers, and my personal favorite, Step.


22 comments:

  1. I know of them but only heard a song or two. (They're lighter than what I listen to.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, you have a preference for heavy metal, or at least so I have gathered. :)

      Delete
  2. I'm a fan! Glad you highlighted them. Just coming into popularity now, but I've liked them for a while.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet. I first heard their music (A-Punk I think) in the title sequence of the Will Ferrel and John C. Reiley comedy, Step Brothers. But I wasn't really a fan until I heard Giving Up the Gun.

      Delete
  3. I love one of their songs a lot, but I can't remember what it's called!

    Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

    Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess it is safe to assume it is not the one I posted above. :)

      Delete
    2. I was thinking something more along the lines of The Kids Don't Stand a Chance or Giving Up the Gun.

      Delete
    3. Sorry guys, after extensive You Tube research, I don't think it was them at all... I could've sworn though :-/ However, I think their videos are brilliant.

      Delete
    4. Oh. It's all good. Glad you like their videos. :)

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Yay! You get brownie points for having awesome tastes. :D

      Delete
  5. They're good but night vision still topping my chart especially with their .....hit song where my demons lie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Imagine Dragons as much as the next man, but comparing them to Vampire Weekend...? Apples to oranges my friend. :)

      Delete