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March 17, 2009

New Grizzly Bear - "Cheerleader"

thumbnail icon: New Grizzly Bear - "Cheerleader"

Oh right, Grizzly Bear have a new record. Whatever you think of Veckatimest, and most of you seem to think a lot vis a vis this year's record from that other set of collected animals, "Cheerleader" is an outright standout on an LP full of them. As mentioned on premature assessment, the track builds on nostalgic, Spector-era melodies and a lockstep groove in the vein of their live/Friend fave "He Hit Me" (itself a cover of the Spector-helmed 1962 Crystals gem). Queue the choral exeunt, the quick spikes of chiming psychedelics, the tom-vamp from Chris Bear (aka he who shines on this album). It's a good listen and a nice shift from Yellow House. The other thing of note in that PE thread was the large number of people holding off for legal and/or high-quality listens, so here's a start.

Grizzly Bear - "Cheerleader" (MP3)

Veckatimest is out 5/26 via Warp.

Posted at 10:53 AM by amrit
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140 Comments

How amazing is this song?!?!

Posted by: Deezey profile link at 03/17/09 11:23 AM  | Reply
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very very amazing. from a fucking stellar album
!!!

Posted by: very  in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/17/09 2:57 PM  | Reply
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depends on how big of a douchebag you are.

Posted by: fratboy  in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/17/09 4:49 PM  | Reply
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Well this version sounds horrible, so I could understand how some people could be put off by it. But really, Fratboy, calling someone a douchebag on the internet is the equivalent of just throwing your arms up and admitting that you have no original thoughts.

Posted by: Deezey profile link  in reply to fratboy's comment at 03/17/09 5:57 PM  | Reply
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thanks for the info, douchebag.

Posted by: fratboy  in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/17/09 7:40 PM  | Reply
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I'd like to agree with you, except that people always say what you just said.

Originality fail.

Posted by: zing  in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/18/09 2:42 AM  | Reply
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i lol'd

Posted by: A Fant TND profile link  in reply to fratboy's comment at 03/18/09 1:52 PM  | Reply
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i am guessing by the name 'fratboy' you've cornered the douchebag market.

Posted by: XO profile link  in reply to fratboy's comment at 03/18/09 3:17 PM  | Reply
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you'd think so.

Posted by: douchebag  in reply to XO's comment at 03/21/09 12:38 AM  | Reply
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someone please explain exactly what it is you like about the song.

Posted by: pnwd  in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/17/09 4:52 PM  | Reply
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Great melody, great vocals, great production and drums, great harmonies, great song. Is that enough for you ?

Posted by: Heebie Jeebies  in reply to pnwd's comment at 03/17/09 5:11 PM  | Reply
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thanks. i was tired of all the "this is the best song ever!" comments without any reasons why. i appreciate the details you provided.

Posted by: pnwd  in reply to Heebie Jeebies's comment at 03/17/09 9:42 PM  | Reply
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This is the best song ever! EVER!!!!!!!!

Posted by: JK Rowlings  in reply to pnwd's comment at 03/18/09 5:49 PM  | Reply
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Not to mention the best use of a children's choir in recent memory. I hear some vespertine influence in the way they used those kids on the album.

Posted by: Leonard profile link  in reply to Heebie Jeebies's comment at 03/18/09 11:27 AM  | Reply
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Vespertine didn't use a kids choir, it used a woman's choir.
But yeah, I like the comparison. Funny because Bjork and Grizzly Bear are my two favourite artists, so maybe you revealed the link there.

Posted by: lookie-here profile link  in reply to Leonard's comment at 03/18/09 3:01 PM  | Reply
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and grizzly bear said they used a teenage girl's choir. so youre sort of wrong as well.

Posted by: anon  in reply to lookie-here's comment at 03/19/09 10:10 PM  | Reply
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Good song, hope that the new album be this good.

Posted by: Pavimento profile link at 03/17/09 11:32 AM  | Reply
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Warning: don't scroll much lower than here on comments. What follows is one of the more irritating back and forth discussions in recent memory on these pages.

Posted by: adam  in reply to Pavimento's comment at 03/17/09 4:22 PM  | Reply
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this sounds way better than my crap-quality download.

looking forward to hearing it all in it's grandiose hifi, and even more so to them touring this summer

Posted by: Kurt profile link at 03/17/09 11:49 AM  | Reply
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Sounds exactly like the copy I downloaded earlier...seriously you guys, stop dumping on the leak, it's obviously of decent quality and no one's buying the "it's crap, wait for the release date" stories...you can still pay for it then you know.

Posted by: agent paranoia  in reply to Kurt's comment at 03/19/09 5:54 AM  | Reply
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Eh, its really not that impressive.

Posted by: anon at 03/17/09 12:05 PM  | Reply
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boooorrring.

Posted by: pod at 03/17/09 12:21 PM  | Reply
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Zzzzzzzzz

Posted by: Ace at 03/17/09 12:21 PM  | Reply
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i love the song. But i don't think it is any sort of high quality version. There is this weird lofi buzz going on through it. And some strange clipping sound every now and then. Great song though.

Posted by: erik at 03/17/09 12:28 PM  | Reply
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I totally didn't like this song in the first 3 seconds. If that buzz persists, and was deliberate....what the hell?

Posted by: anusbong profile link  in reply to erik's comment at 03/17/09 1:54 PM  | Reply
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i did notice the clipping. it still sounds more full and clear than what i got.

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to erik's comment at 03/17/09 3:30 PM  | Reply
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uh, the quality of this is lower than the leaked track

Posted by: sss at 03/17/09 12:30 PM  | Reply
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maybe i just downloaded Horn Of Plenty again and that's why it sounds so lofi. HURRR HURRRRRR

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to sss's comment at 03/17/09 3:36 PM  | Reply
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Great song but maybe just a bit too long. Also I think it starts off stronger than it finishes--the last half started to loose my attention.

Posted by: bananafana feux profile link at 03/17/09 12:43 PM  | Reply
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Grizzly Boring.

Three part harmonies don't mean anything if your album has no memorable melodies.

If all they had out was a 7 inch, they'd be worth the hype. These albums bore the shit out of me. The hype/backlash/fade to black is so played out with indie rock and Grizzly Bear is another case of here we go again...

Posted by: whatever at 03/17/09 12:47 PM  | Reply
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Decent song. The album has WAY better tracks. But this one is still good, don't get me wrong.

Posted by: Evan at 03/17/09 12:50 PM  | Reply
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Give me a break. This is supposed to be a great band?? I just puked in my mouth a little bit. A bit boring.

Posted by: bob seger at 03/17/09 1:19 PM  | Reply
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You puked in your mouth out of boredom. Please, teach me.

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link  in reply to bob seger's comment at 03/17/09 4:52 PM  | Reply
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One of my favorite tracks from the record. No lie. It is kind of long but it holds its own. Foreground is better, though.

Posted by: Faith at 03/17/09 1:39 PM  | Reply
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This album is going to change your life. Believe it.

Posted by: pants at 03/17/09 1:50 PM  | Reply
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Also, I heard Veckatimest is so good, that it will swoop down from space like Superman and cure cancer AND aids in one fell swoop. And maybe even make girls like you/look at you.

Posted by: anusbong profile link at 03/17/09 1:55 PM  | Reply
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I like Merriweather Post Pavillion more than this album. Veckatimest is more complex in a technical sense, but overall MPP's tone, feel, and textures are far more satisfying and original.

Posted by: yeamutha at 03/17/09 2:03 PM  | Reply
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For that matter, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is better too.

Posted by: Andrew  in reply to yeamutha's comment at 03/17/09 2:44 PM  | Reply
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mpp sux. it's fun for about a week then starts to give you a headache

Posted by: mppsux  in reply to yeamutha's comment at 03/17/09 2:51 PM  | Reply
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MPP is fine and all but there are no real instruments on that album, this one is chock full or them, which alone makes it better in my book. MPP is fun, but ultimately sounds like one sample desk and a shit load of compression. Not that impressive really. Plus a lot of Animal Collective songs are too long and noodle around and don't do shit

Posted by: Sam  in reply to yeamutha's comment at 03/17/09 3:26 PM  | Reply
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i love both animal collective and grizzly bear, but 'real instruments' have no bearing on how original an album or band can be. that said, veckatimest is clearly going for a different thing then Merriweather, and so far I prefer Merriweather. Sure there is repetitiion in MPP, but if you would listen to music not made on this continent once in a while, that can be a good thing...this new gb song was good, but my jaw never made it to the floor. album is preordered though...

Posted by: alsofrightened  in reply to Sam's comment at 03/17/09 5:48 PM  | Reply
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to misquote the song--

it shouldn't even matterrrrrr

Posted by: YerGhost profile link  in reply to yeamutha's comment at 03/20/09 11:41 AM  | Reply
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excited

Posted by: Kyle profile link at 03/17/09 2:15 PM  | Reply
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Basically, 2009 should end with a wrestling match between Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear. The match will go back and forth equally, and end when a masked man hits the ring and smashes everyone with musical instruments. Then the mask man reveals himself as Sufjan and begins a performance of "You Are The [Fake] Blood" but the tag team champions of the world Kanye West and Miley Cyrus interrupt the song at the 4:30-minute mark of the song and start beating the hell out of Sufjan and his backing band. Just then another fight breaks out in the crowd as The Flaming Lips fight The Arcade Fire, but just as The Arcade Fire is about to get the upper hand (they have the numbers advantage, clearly), Justin Timberlake and The Edge come out. The Edge kills everyone in The Arcade Fire with kindness. Then the lights go out and the Undertaker's theme music sounds and out comes, guess who, none other than Mr. Thom Yorke who slowly approaches the ring (with Ed O'Brien holding an urn and making spooky faces) and then, once he gets to the ring, Thom beats the shit out of Kanye and Miley ending with a vicious tombstone piledriver, to an enormous ovation from the crowd. Everyone in the crowd admits that 2009 was a great year in music but still not as good as 2007.

Posted by: Ron Jenkins profile link at 03/17/09 2:27 PM  | Reply
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I lol'd.

A lot.

Bravo.

Posted by: gfd  in reply to Ron Jenkins's comment at 03/18/09 2:49 AM  | Reply
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Ron, this was the MPP/Veckatimist of blog posts.

Posted by: Beardzoid profile link  in reply to Ron Jenkins's comment at 03/19/09 7:39 PM  | Reply
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OFFICIAL BACKLASH HAS BEGUN

this song owns. Album of the year. MPP has shit on this

Posted by: backlash at 03/17/09 2:33 PM  | Reply
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what's the difference betwen "has shit" and "doesn't have shit"?
does that mean the same thing?

i'm serious.

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to backlash's comment at 03/17/09 3:40 PM  | Reply
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get a job

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to Kurt's comment at 03/17/09 6:08 PM  | Reply
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i do have a job. i'm more often than not at it when i post on stereogum. i don't work very hard.

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to BRAAAAAAAINSSss's comment at 03/18/09 1:26 AM  | Reply
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i'm sorry; i didn't know.

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to Kurt's comment at 03/18/09 2:00 AM  | Reply
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For the remainder of the year, young people who loved the Animal Collective record will pollute the internet in an effort to derail enthusiasm for anything that might seem poised to take even the slightest bit of attention away from their pet band. It's been incredibly annoying thusfar, and it's going to persist.

This is perfectly pleasant music. If it's not enough to hold a place in your short attention span, then just move on.

Posted by: Andrew at 03/17/09 2:37 PM  | Reply
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Well said. I feel like there are some dumb sabotage attempts going on, seems fishy. This is great! Live and let live, come on! Enjoy the tunes.

Posted by: Agreed  in reply to Andrew's comment at 03/17/09 2:45 PM  | Reply
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It's ok. Pretty uninteresting ultimately though like others have said. I've listened to this album a handful of times now, and truthfully, it just isn't that memorable. It is original, no doubt, but beyond that, the songs all start to run together. I feel the focus on this album is obviously on all the instruments, harmonies, and song structures, and not on writing good songs or melodies. There is only one half of the equation here in my opinion.

Posted by: Sean Jean at 03/17/09 2:38 PM  | Reply
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Sooooo OVERRATED. ZZZZZZZZZZ These guys don't make good music. Are you guys deaf? Sheesh these guys get as much hype as Animal Cuntlective, Vivian Gags, and Crystal Faggots.

Posted by: grizzlyzzzzz at 03/17/09 2:41 PM  | Reply
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Crystal Castles, Crystal Antlers, Crystal Stilts, or Crystal Method?

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to grizzlyzzzzz's comment at 03/17/09 3:43 PM  | Reply
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crystal skulls as well

Posted by: polecat profile link  in reply to Kurt's comment at 03/18/09 12:45 PM  | Reply
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clever

Posted by: John  in reply to grizzlyzzzzz's comment at 03/22/09 12:51 PM  | Reply
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woah silly backlash, easy there.

this song is incredible. the end harmonies make me melt every single time. and the chorus melody is blissful. love the drums and the subtle electronic hand claps and bass hits. it's very direct yet with so many, so many layers and subtleties.

I just rode my bike in the breezy sunshine that we're having today and listened to this and it was the definition of nice. Chill awesome beautiful summer time song in a way that only Grizzly Bear could do. Lush, harmonies washing over you. Can't wait for the summer shows to hear it live again!

I love it soooooo much. Easily one of my songs of the year. (I've had the album for a while. Also, yes there is a little clipping and unfortunate sound crap with this stream. Cant wait for people to finally hear it with full, professional production sound the way that it was intended)

Posted by: ben at 03/17/09 2:43 PM  | Reply
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i completely know exactly what you are talking about. riding your bike while listening to grizzly bear is the equivalent to.........well, nothing! its a euphoric experience

Posted by: randall  in reply to ben's comment at 03/17/09 11:07 PM  | Reply
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People love to hate on great music. These melodies are far more exciting/interesting then most of the poop out there. Grizzly Bear are blowing up and all the bitter bitches are coming out in full force. Get over it. this is a fucking awesome album, some people like them more than Animal Collective. Agree with Andrew, anytime attention is draw away from that jumbled mess of an album MPP, Animal Collective fans start freaking the fuck out.

Posted by: people at 03/17/09 2:44 PM  | Reply
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Totally agreed. Shame on others for trying to bring people down. It's just music. And really well done music at that! What's the use in flipping out? It can all exist and we can enjoy it all if we choose to. Seems to me that Panda Bear wouldn't approve of this immature name calling ;)

Posted by: Agreed  in reply to people's comment at 03/17/09 2:51 PM  | Reply
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Hating on this band when there is SO MUCH SHIT music is just plain stupid. If it's not your thing, deal...but it's original , fresh and so much more interesting than 99 percent of the shit people listen to

Posted by: Timberland at 03/17/09 2:47 PM  | Reply
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This is probably the most boring song on an otherwise good album. Dory isn't particularly good either.

Posted by: Rob at 03/17/09 3:15 PM  | Reply
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you are stupid and wrong. Thank you for your time

Posted by: you  in reply to Rob's comment at 03/17/09 3:21 PM  | Reply
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"People love to hate on great music."

I don't know about you, but I love to like great music and this shit is boring.

Fuck Animal Collective, they're boring too.

I want to hear some fucking songs!!!!!!! Spare me this pseudo prog intellectualized bullshit. Go buy cardigans and circle jerk with Vampire Weekend, pat yourselves on the back and masturbate to how incredibly "chill" and "blissfully complex" you are.

In the meantime, I wanna hear some fucking tunes. Of which there are maybe two in all of Grizzly Bear's discography.

All the best to them, but it's a free country and I'm just saying - shit is boring and ultimately forgettable.

As a music fan I'm tired of taking cues from a bunch of blogs dependent on there always being a next big thing. Spare me the feeding frenzy, it's destructive to the musicians involved and Grizzly Bear are another band about to hit the most over exaggerated glass ceiling since Sarah Lewittin.

God Bless them...I hope they get the success they deserve and connect to the kids that will want to hear this as I'm sure there are some out there, nothing personal, just this whole "greatest album ever made" title given out every two weeks to every band who puts together 12 songs is exhausting and boring.

Blogs are undoing themselves with all of this.

Posted by: overhyped at 03/17/09 3:23 PM  | Reply
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What exactly is a fucking song to you? You sounds like a dreadfully lame person


Posted by: Hmm  in reply to overhyped's comment at 03/17/09 3:31 PM  | Reply
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just out of curiousity, what are you big on lately?
any suggestions to go with your rant?

Posted by: Kurt profile link  in reply to overhyped's comment at 03/17/09 3:48 PM  | Reply
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yes!! Someone else who gets it. Throw other boring ass bands like Ponytail, Chairlift, Crystal Stilts, and Yeasayer into that group. If you really like prog, there are a bunch of bands 30-40 years ago that were a shit ton better at it then these bands.

Im no hipster indie douchebag baggin on Grizzly Bear for the sake of it, and frankly animal collective sounds like a bunch of dipshits too. Im old so I almost fell asleep listening to that shit. Im going to katmandu!!

Posted by: bob seger  in reply to overhyped's comment at 03/17/09 4:09 PM  | Reply
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your music sucks dick bobby.

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to bob seger's comment at 03/17/09 6:10 PM  | Reply
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Hahaha. I have made millions and your favorite band with boring music will struggle to put food in their mouths. Why?? Cause only a few people with tin ears can stand their music long enough not to be bored to death.

Hey I think Pitchfork loves Cymbals eats Guitars!! Maybe you should follow them now too. Or maybe not, cause their songs are actually interesting unlike this one from Grizzly Bear.

Posted by: bob seger  in reply to BRAAAAAAAINSSss's comment at 03/17/09 7:35 PM  | Reply
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you tyrant

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to bob seger's comment at 03/17/09 10:38 PM  | Reply
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"...pseudo prog intellectualized bullshit..." HAHAHAHAHAHA PLEASE NO MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!1!!11!

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link  in reply to overhyped's comment at 03/17/09 4:49 PM  | Reply
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Yellow House >>> Veckatimest

MPP >>> Yellow House

therefore:

MPP >>>>>> Veckatimest

Transitive property, folks.

Posted by: Zach at 03/17/09 3:40 PM  | Reply
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you have it completely backwards zach.

veckatimest >>>> Yellow House

Yellow House>>>> MPP

Thusly, Veckatimest is WAY >>>>>> MPP

get it right next time

Posted by: backwards  in reply to Zach's comment at 03/17/09 3:59 PM  | Reply
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You are both wrong.

Yellow house > or = Veckatimest

And then in a completely separate arena because these bands are NOTHING THE FUCK ALIKE other than that they both make interesting, thought provoking music:

MPP > Strawberry Jam

Just because two bands coexist and have common fans does not mean you can compare them like apples to apples. One thing that is killing music is to have a huge umbrella term like "indie" over many good things that are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT and then comparing them like it's all the same. Fuck that.

Posted by: austinjedwards profile link  in reply to backwards's comment at 03/18/09 5:26 AM  | Reply
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Honestly the backlash here, albeit mild is just stupid. People don't like it when other people are successful or make something that is generally seen as "great" so they feel it their duty to "take everyone down a notch" . Why? Not sure, but it's utterly pointless and in this case totally unsubstantiated

Posted by: Anja at 03/17/09 4:01 PM  | Reply
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At least Grizzly Bear play instruments which is far more than I can say for Animal Collective

Posted by: atleast at 03/17/09 4:02 PM  | Reply
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I think Animal Collective's lack of musical knowledge is very attractive, especially considering how musical they are. It allows them to create music with a structure of their own. I couldn't make music like animal collective's because i probably know too much about musical structure.

And with Grizzly Bear, they obviously know something about music, and then consciously choose to push the structure further away, which is just as admirable to me.

Posted by: austinjedwards profile link  in reply to atleast's comment at 03/18/09 5:32 AM  | Reply
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everyone who claims to have 'heard' this record here is lying (except Amrit & Scott). why don't you put some headphones on and listen to the non-shit 128k ripped version on CD or better yet vinyl when it comes out in May - then make your decision (as the band intended the music to be heard).

Posted by: zbtfa at 03/17/09 4:06 PM  | Reply
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i call bullshit on that EW post, there's no way dudes in gb want that crappy stream being heard by anyone. the song is great but that is a straight-up mess. that buzz, the tracking clicks, just awful. and if you think ed and dan hand-deliver a copy to scott and amrit, think again, they got it the same way i did. a little persistence, and it's easy to get a 225kbps version. having said that, i still want a vinyl copy.

Posted by: chris  in reply to zbtfa's comment at 03/17/09 7:15 PM  | Reply
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I stopped listening after 45 seconds. Oh man...
http://diggingfordays.blogspot.com

Posted by: Kip at 03/17/09 4:15 PM  | Reply
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your blog sux.

Posted by: pacemaker  in reply to Kip's comment at 03/17/09 4:56 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, how is it that the quality on the single is worse than on the leak? Me no understand internets!

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link at 03/17/09 4:29 PM  | Reply
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Color Me Bad harmonized like this too, except they knew better than to cover up the lack of melodies and hooks with delay pedals.

Posted by: YeahISaidItFuckOff at 03/17/09 6:29 PM  | Reply
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Am I the only one that finds it a ridiculous excuse to say that you can't juge a song by the mp3 audio of it in the year 2009? If they didn't want it to be heard as an mp3, why post it to EW.com?

So, I've gotta listen to something with headphones on, a fucking lava lamp and a mixing board to run from my record player in order to "get it".

No dice, sorry pal - shit is boring.

Posted by: dude,come on at 03/17/09 6:32 PM  | Reply
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The blonde dude in this band wears black sunglasses when he rides the L train.

The future must be to bright for him to bear.

Posted by: LTrainGuy at 03/17/09 6:35 PM  | Reply
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can all of you just meet up in real life and fight?

going off one of y'all's comments:
MPP > Yellow House
Yellow House > Veckatimest

and if...
fans of AC only and fans of GB only fighting in a random parking lot > MPP

this would mean...
fans of AC only and fans of GB only fighting in a random parking lot > the best music offerings of the Pitchforkian year (so far...Actor still has yet to hit da streetz)

but the real question....
fans of AC only and fans of GB only fighting in a random parking lot VS. fans of neither bands gathering in a McDonald's PlayPlace ball pit to take a group picture only to hear a Girl Talk mashup of "Two Weeks" and "My Girls" on the overhead speakers, which results in a riot and a discontinuation of McRibs (again)

Posted by: Ron Jenkins profile link at 03/17/09 7:06 PM  | Reply
Score = 16 Vote up Vote down

you are blowing my mind

Posted by: joy profile link  in reply to Ron Jenkins's comment at 03/18/09 6:44 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I'm not sure if this song merits all the rave the new stuff is getting. I liked the department of eagles cd better. Maybe the rest of the tunes will change my mind.

Posted by: Benjfier profile link at 03/17/09 7:49 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I WILL KICK ALL OF YOUR ASSES. MEET ME AT THE CORNER OF4TH STREET AND D TONIGHT AT 7 PM. BRING YOU COPIES OF MPP. I WILL EAT THEM. THEN I WILL CRANE KICK YOUR ASSES BACK TO THE STONE AGE.

Posted by: pone at 03/17/09 8:04 PM  | Reply
Score = 20 Vote up Vote down

"Use something nearby as a model."

Posted by: Citadel...Red Rover at 03/17/09 9:06 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I'm glad people are enjoying what I find to be one of the less-standout tracks from Veckatimest. Just wait until you hear it all. I played Southern Point today 5 times in a row because walking along in the newly-warm weather was just the perfect way to listen to it.
I personally don't remember the last time I "backlashed" on an album. I think there's lots of really talented artists out there and that if you don't like something at one time, maybe you just aren't listening in the right context?
But ultimately, I don't give a fuck if you don't like it, because it doesn't change how much I can listen and love this.
So please, continue if you must! (cunts)

Posted by: lookie-here profile link at 03/17/09 9:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Doesn't sound bad, doesn't knock me out of my chair either. Gets an OK rating for now.

I'm starting to feel I may need to scroll directly to "leave a comment" on anything that says Animal Collective or Grizzly Bear around here.

Please, if you don't like a certain band why waste your time reading/typing stuff on news that are obviously about them? Not all music is for everyone. Just move on.

Posted by: d33r profile link at 03/17/09 9:38 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Why are people comparing Veck to MP? Their both great.

Posted by: I PEE GOLD profile link at 03/17/09 10:06 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I think the backlash is kind of interesting, really. I would guess that most people have feelings like that — anger at other people enjoying something they themselves don't enjoy. I know I felt a little bit of that myself when the vampire weekend album came out. Not everyone broadcasts it (although blog comment sections make it more frequent). It seems weird to waste time getting angry about something so trivial, but it's very frequent. It's not just music — people do it with movies, books, food, cars, clothes, etc. Some of it's elitism and conceit, but then some of it seems to be in a different category of just visceral rage. I wonder if it's not the same feeling people get that make them want to stop people from doing drugs, smoking, driving without a seat belt, believing/not believing in god, etc. As if "bad" music is physically harmful and you want to stop people from hurting themselves. Ok, sorry, too many words.

Posted by: jimmy dean at 03/17/09 10:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

WHAT ABOUT DAN DEACON AND DAN AUERBACH?

Posted by: matthew at 03/18/09 1:39 AM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

'you think it's like this, but really it's like this' by mirah is better than the new animal collective and grizzly bear albums.

Posted by: desd at 03/18/09 1:53 AM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

I really hate how much people care about other people's enjoyment of music. I don't yell at my mom for liking stuff I don't like, so why do people care that a lot of people love Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective??? What is the point? I fucking hated Clap Your Hands Say Yeah but my girlfriend loved them I didn't constantly tell her how shit they were or that she sucked. Blog comments suck.

On the subject of Veckatimest, it's a really really wonderfully complex and amazing album. Reveals a lot on repeat listens. Easily my favorite release so far this year, but i'm hoping for even more!

Posted by: Trigger at 03/18/09 3:50 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Have any of you actually thought about how fantastic it is that we got BOTH MPP and this album this year? Lst year was not so good; this year is making up for it.

Posted by: Dan at 03/18/09 3:58 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

They upped a MUCH better sounding version. You can really hear the song better now. So fucking gorgeous.

The bestest year for music ever! (i'm only partially kidding but I agree with Dan makes 2008 look like turd)

Posted by: EW at 03/18/09 4:14 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

If only the haters knew, that their relentless commenting only further perpetuates the Grizzly Bear hype. Lo and behold, yet another grizzly bear post on stereogum at #1 most commented. NIce one guys!

Posted by: haters at 03/18/09 4:18 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

i will be a cheerleader for Grizzly Bear.

Posted by: vig profile link at 03/18/09 7:44 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

Not that anyone is reading my posts, but again, I like Grizzly Bear. I dig their style and music. I just don't think they are as amazing as everyone else seems to. I think they're a pretty cool band. I've seen them live, and I enjoyed it. They don't blow my mind or get my heart racing though. I still think their stuff tends to run together and be a bit on the boring side.

Posted by: Sean Jean at 03/18/09 8:46 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I don't really understand this competition thing between Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective. Why does it matter if some critics or fans declare one or the other the album of the year? Do you guys really put that much stock into that sort of thing? You can't just listen to and enjoy/not enjoy the music without turning it into some kind of pissing match?

Posted by: jonb profile link at 03/18/09 9:23 AM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

That melody is beautiful....drums sound like they are on a subway platform awesome. It reminds me a tiny bit of 'All Tomorrows Parties' but with boys singing and quite original....does anyone know what they recorded it on and where?

Posted by: wheatus profile link at 03/18/09 11:23 AM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

subtle, creative and patient......put on headphones and lay on your back. if you don't "get it" it's a shame.

Posted by: Aaron at 03/18/09 12:30 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

uhhh, guys? you used 'vis a vis' incorrectly.

and nice album, but kind of boring.

Posted by: ... at 03/18/09 2:17 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

awesome song...big fans of these guys where are they going to be next? ive heard some rumors but nothing.. alot better than previous albums....

Posted by: ElliotP profile link at 03/18/09 5:19 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

I finally caved and listened (I'm holding out for my copy on vinyl) and this is gorgeous, perfect on headphones

Posted by: matthew at 03/18/09 7:24 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

21st Century Breakdown is going to blow this shit out of the water. 2 months 'til game over, bitches.

Posted by: megaindiedouche at 03/18/09 10:03 PM  | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Why does anyone who says something negative about Grizzly Bear and their ilk get such a negative response? Are you such indie lemmings that you can't accept the fact that some people don't like your over-hyped overly-sensitive over-overdubbed over-layered baroque protools pop. Christ, somebody get these bands a distortion pedal.

Posted by: Lonnie Pigford at 03/19/09 2:01 PM  | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

Wow, you must be really "punk rock" wish I could hang with you

Posted by: punk  in reply to Lonnie Pigford 's comment at 03/21/09 10:44 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

The melody is overly derivative of 60s and 70s soft rock like Simon and Garfunkel, Steely Dan, etc. Lacking an interesting tempo, the tune drags by like a piece of cold ramen. The unnecessarily numerous use of vocal harmonies draw too much attention to themselves, rendering the song self conscious and pretentious. Much of the background negative spaces are not fully explored enough, leaving the listener wondering Just how much better could this have been?

Josh Tesh farting > Grizzly Bear

Posted by: fff at 03/19/09 2:31 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

PSUE-PSEU-PSEUdio intellectual

Posted by: Phil Collins  in reply to fff's comment at 03/19/09 4:24 PM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

This is totally a bitter dude in a band. Your comment is so off point is totally isn't even mildly legit in your crit. Get a life.

Posted by: wish  in reply to fff's comment at 03/21/09 10:43 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

Of course I meant John Tesh. I

Posted by: fff at 03/19/09 2:36 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

Wow. You are all dorks.

Posted by: You are all Dorks at 03/19/09 4:19 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

OK, I just listened to the song. Ummm, where's the good part?

Posted by: Joseph profile link at 03/19/09 6:02 PM  | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down

you have cloth in your ears. Take it out dumb ass

Posted by: cloth  in reply to Joseph's comment at 03/22/09 4:33 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

You're an asshole with bad taste.

Posted by: Anyname at 03/20/09 2:05 AM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

Why doesn't Stereogum just make the complete top 10 threads all about Grizzly Bear? Just go ahead and get it over with guys. "Grizzly Bear Goes to Sbarro for Lunch, Orders Slice of Cheese Pizza, Enjoys It."

Posted by: J. J. at 03/20/09 3:04 PM  | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

First of all, anyone who talks shit about this band is ignorant, narrow-minded and has the attention span of a fucking gnat. Sure you don't like it, but these guys have talent and they're using it to create something for people to enjoy. Its Grizzly Bear, they're masters of keeping it simple, but they won't just whip their dicks out on the table for you to see either... you gotta find that shit. And if you don't enjoy it, well, then go listen to The Flaming Lips or something.

Second of all, Ed's voice slays my soul; and the guitar tone is richer than velvet cake. Did I discredit myself just now? Fuck you.

Posted by: Scogginsz at 03/20/09 4:59 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Such a gorgeous song!!!

Posted by: David43 at 03/21/09 11:56 AM  | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

think what hes saying is possibly you dont always have to be 'big' on something to enjoy music. if 'great' music isnt around, its not around. dont try and force that mantle onto 'good' music ie gb/ac. be patient. patronize over.

Posted by: blunderbait at 03/21/09 1:48 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I fucking hate all you assholes who come onto this website and post comments. You're all a bunch of dumb pricks.

Posted by: Tummy Tuck at 03/21/09 4:15 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

O'DOYLE RULES!

Posted by: bmad  in reply to Tummy Tuck's comment at 03/22/09 2:29 AM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

I hate all you assholes and slobber the dicks of Grizzly Bear then slam on those of us who won't join you in the suckfest.

Posted by: Joseph profile link at 03/22/09 12:11 PM  | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

This suuuuuuuuuuuucks

Posted by: Douchebag at 03/22/09 1:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Best new band making music. Absolutely floored by Veckatimest, wasnt that big on them before now I'm sold 10x over

Posted by: Lizzy at 03/22/09 4:31 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Ive never been that crazy about Grizzly Bear, but this song is incredible.

Posted by: Brad Stengel profile link at 03/23/09 2:36 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE BEST SONGS OF THE LAST 25 YEARS, NO QUESTION.

Posted by: Morton Finkwattle at 03/23/09 3:45 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

I don't get it. Grizzly Bear are not that great... Wait-- am I just not indie enough?

Posted by: RubberSoul profile link at 03/23/09 8:24 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Yes, it's an indie thing you wouldn't understand...

Posted by: grizzlyh8r  in reply to RubberSoul's comment at 03/24/09 4:20 PM  | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

chris cornell's "Scream"> grizzly bear, by far.

Posted by: chris at 03/24/09 4:18 PM  | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

oooh what a diss yo

you aren't even funny

Posted by: ooohdiss  in reply to chris's comment at 03/24/09 5:52 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

this band isn't indie rock, it's an indie castration. they should go away.

Posted by: Indie Rock Sucks at 03/24/09 6:03 PM  | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

go listen to the black lips and shut the fuck up. These guys aren't going anywhere

Posted by: bl  in reply to Indie Rock Sucks's comment at 03/26/09 4:21 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

95% of the comments on this page are from uninformed morons.
All the members of Grizzly Bear are INSANELY tallented (maybe not ED...quite as much as the others).
Such a special band.
Rossens solo work (Department of Eagles) is amazing as well.
Reality is, most people aren't smart enough to realize this.
Do Grizzly Bear fans go out of their way to talk shit about Animal Collective online? Probably not, we try to stay away from sounds that are loud and repetitive. (BURN! though I like AC)

Posted by: JEFF at 05/19/09 4:57 PM  | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

This thread is just confusing to a non-blogger.
How many REASONED opinions have been voiced here?
This is just a slagging match between two groups of painfully subjective "fans" all overly dependent on a connection with their respective pet band. I could understand a certain rivalry between local followers of two bands, both based in brooklyn, that have been as relentlessly compared (rightfully or otherwise).

IN MY OPINION:
Both "Veckatimest" and "MPP" have been hyped to the point where fanatic advocates of either or both bands' music, have felt the need to get vocal or defensive, even before the release of the records themselves. I personally like both records and (in my opinion) they are the most accomplished pieces of work produced by these two bands to date. They are certainly the least comparable (that is an assertion not an opinion). As for which is best, that's for you to form your own judgement.

Interestingly no mention of DPs' "Bitte Orca" here, which is arguably (yes, I said arguably) as good as either album being praised or slated above. Oh well, it seems music itself doesn't hold as much evidence of it's quality as the hype surrounding it.

Posted by: VoiceofReason at 09/08/09 11:08 AM  | Reply
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