Fleet Foxes

Is this the most recent album on this list? I'm surprised to see it on this list. A great indie folk album.

I listened to this A LOT when it came out, trying to figure out what other people liked about it that I was missing. Never figured that out, and for a while there I kinda hated Fleet Foxes. Years later, my opinion has mellowed somewhat, but... I still think this is pretty bland lowest-common-denominator type stuff though, especially compared to some other indie folk I could mention. Feels like eating cotton candy kinda: Sweet and airy with no actual substance. Inoffensive, nice on the ears, and pretty darn uninteresting to me. 2.5 rounded down.

Judging this album by it's cover is probably a good thing. Being the Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, it's definitely an interesting choice, but is actually fitting for the album itself. Being an indie-folk, chamber rock sounding album, fits right in with this middle ages scene. Best: Your Protector Worst: He Doesn't Know Why

3.5 Stars. Hipster folk and indie pop elements - highly talented musicians. A few really nice, semi-upbeat songs - but most of the slower stuff did not resonate with me.

Me pareció un discazo. Es la definición de sentir que volás. Música super tranquila y para relajar. Me da vibras a los beatles. Creo que es el primer disco de los que me recomendaron acá que no conociera y que quisiera volver a escuchar en el futuro.

4+

Decent

Not as bad as I thought it was going to be

I like it, it's going into the rotation. Pleasant and original. Caught me by surprise.

Boring

Прекрасный джаз

Nostalgia record. Still think it’s well crafted and highly enjoyable

Pretty damn good listen, very enjoyable tunes. Just overall really nice.

Harmonic oohs and aahs 5 - Masterpiece 4 - Love it 3 - Like it 2 - Whatever 1 - Turn it off

Reminds me of high school when I tried to be indie/folky. Still like it though

It's been a minute since I listened to this! What fun!

Nope

I found this album to be quite relaxing, actually. Has a very in-the-era indie sound to it and best of all... it's a quick listen. 8/10.

Didn't care for it on the first listen, but gave it another chance and it really grew on me in a major way. This is a beautiful, cozy album that feels like a warm cup of morning coffee. Not normally my type of music, and I feel ridiculous for that.

Well my kids love that one song, so I couldn't believe this popped up. This was pretty impressive.

After a few days in leather jacket-land rock it seems like we've moved into chequered shirt wearing tweed-ville and, sonically speaking, I back it. Some truly lovely numbers on this. The frontman's voice is smooth as sage and butter. The backing melodies are simplistic but sweet. Blue Ridge Mountains was a real highlight.

Prefer Helplessness Blues. Mind just switched off for most of this

Previously gave this a 2 or 3 but it's going straight up to a 4 due to a mixture of peer pressure, it growing on me, the absolute dogtits that have been served up the on here recently and not wanting to offend our Tone. This takes me straight back to my youth, listening to Bombay with a pear cider without a care in the world, happy days. You just can't help but think all is well with the world when this is on. I'd like to hear a little more grit/edge added, maybe even a Collab with alt-j, but hey it's 2008, what can you expect? They hadn't even heard of Brexit.

Our Ton’s favourite band. Brings me back to summer 2018… watching the stars from our campsite in the Yorkshire Dales… or driving through the munroes and Lochs of the Isle of Skye… Sentimentality aside, I can’t really find a weak link to this album. Helplessness Blues is catchier, but both are top tier. Five: deployed

Really these guys rode up with Mumford and Sons. But these guys have obviously taken more drugs. Does give a classic sound to indie folk whilst still being modern and relevant. Really some beautiful songs on here. 4/5

This album was quite relaxing. Not really my style but a good listen nonetheless. Definitely adding a song or two to Levitation! Favorites: Blue Ridge Mountains and He Dosent Know Why

21st century folk. Cozy. Highlights: Ragged wood. He doesn't know why. Your protector. Blue ridge mountains.

A few good tracks, with nice use of old prog rock ideas in a folk setting. Otherwise, approaches coldplay a little too close for an American group.

Only got a chance to listen once, but this time I appreciated the music more than previous attempts.

Not really my genre. I can see it as background music in a movie scene or a hip hop sample. Idk.

I really enjoyed this. Very cool old 50's sound at times... Lot of fun

4.5 stars, indie folk at it's finest. Vocals can be a little too studio-y/echo-y at times but this album has a lot of energy blended with gentle melodies. Plenty of great tracks with standouts "White Winter Hymnal" as well as "Blue Ridge Mountains" and "Ragged Wood."

kinda surprised to see this here but a good album nonetheless very indie folk, has the song of theirs that I like

I’m a sucker for this type of music. I love the harmonies, they’re so impeccable. ‘Heard Them Stirring’ is actually one of the best songs on the record in my opinion - I love the way the guitar sounds throughout, and it takes center stage on this instrumental. ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ is amazing, too. It’s all just modern folk at its finest.

Beautiful album. I'm embarrassed that I've never really listened to it until now.

Quite bland, foresty folk

älskar älskar fleetan

Love the Bruegel cover but the music did absolutely nothing for me. Wasn’t completely horrible though.

I usually like this style of music. Not today. I'm not impressed.

Tiger Mountain peasant song starts out like Led Zeppelin. Meadowlarks was a little bit like Simon and Garfunkel looking for America The song before meadowlarks was a bit Fleetwood Mac esque Blue Ridge Mountains was a bit Crosby stills, Nash and Young ish

As the first two songs played I was enamored by this band (that I had heard of but never listened to). Yes, I was put off by the cavern reverb effect (similar vibe to My Morning Jacket), it seems like an overt attempt to alienate the listener. But the material and performances overcame that as the first few tunes played. I was thinking this was a four, maybe a five, and then, song by song, that feeling dissipated. Even though many of the arrangements and harmonies are beautiful, 66% of the way through, I was checking to see how many more songs were left. I listened to the album twice, and it was a repeat of that slide into monotony. What seemed fresh and inspired evaporated before my ears. Might have a made a good EP.

Wow, I haven't listened to this album since it first came out. I was pretty smitten with it for about two weeks and then it got old real fast. Hearing it today, though, it was the perfect soundtrack to this dreary, wet, unusually warm winter's day. I got a little tired of it by the time we got to the penultimate number, but I wouldn't necessarily say it wore out its welcome. I love that second song to pieces.

I had heard of this band before but never invested the time to explore. I really enjoyed and though I didn't take any notes or have any great observations, I will say that this album is a great demonstration of why I do enjoy our 1001 project.

Not something I’d go out my way to listen to by any means but it did evoke feeling like I was in nature, which I felt like they were going for. Would be great to listen to while camping or something. But also gives me Tory white girl summer vibes. No song stood out except the one that was all over the radio at some point (white winter hymnal?), some lovely ambient moments but overall the lack of dynamics and instruments just blended into one sound. I found myself looking forward to it ending. 3/5

Pretty neutral, not bad but not rushing to listen to again

Just bored me.

This was chill, enjoyable background music, but I wouldn't rave about it

Love. Thanks Jay for bringing this to me. Concert in 2009. Beautiful harmony like CSNY.

I love Fleet Foxes. Ever since my sister got me to listen to their EP, Sun Giant, which had the song Mykonos on it, I was hooked. I've listened to this album many times before. White Winter Hymnal, and Blue Ridge Mountains are simply beautiful. I love this "chamber rock/folk" type music, which was big in the 00's - 10's. Fleet Foxes sound a lot like Boy & Bear and Mumford & Sons. The harmonies that they can hit on this record are simply beautiful, and the imagery they spin through their lyrics is amazing. I love the folk instruments (mandolin, woodwinds, upright bass, violin). It is so calming and peaceful. Really good vibes every time I listen to these guys. Favourite songs: White Winter Hymnal, Oliver James, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ragged Wood, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, He Doesn't Know Why, Your Protector Least favourite songs: If forced to pick, Quiet Houses 5/5

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: White winter hymnal, Ragged wood, Quiet houses, Blue ridge mountains

Beautifully created and personally meaningful, an album full of rebirth, renewal, natural, spiritual. Simple but complicated harmonies and arrangements abound to leave a truly individual, unique and compelling work of art. And you can sing along to it. Inspired.

Some great bits but not as strong as I’d remembered.

This really is just an incredibly beautiful album. I'm not usually big on folk music, but some albums are just undeniable. It's soft and elegant, and suffused with exquisite vocals. The music is overall simple and driven by acoustic guitar, but it complements the vocals perfectly 5/5

Very nice. Not outstanding, but consistently pleasant.

Very nice folk album.

Beautiful

bare with me on this one: i think that fleet foxes are kind of the eminem of indie music. obviously, their music, lyrics, aesthetics, and overall discography quality are wildly different. the reason i think this though is due to how it can be easy to hate on both of their best music after hearing so many of the artists they've influenced sound corny. but if you try not to think about all of their successors, you realize how interesting they really are. this is one of those albums where you can picture the music in your head and i love that. it feels timeless to the point where it sounds like it was made in the 1460's and the 1960's at the same time. there are some moments where it can get a bit sleepy and uninteresting. but when it's good, it's great.

Terrific album that I have listened to numerously. Blue Ridge Mountains is the clear standout for me as I grew up a good part of my childhood at the base of Afton Mountain in the Blue Ridge. The album is a peaceful one with noteworthy harmonies. It brings calm.

Damn, this is some depressing shit. Bon Iver's For Emma coincided with My FIL's death, it also coincided with the release of this album. Both played continuously on my ipod for about six months. This FF album was what I put on when I was tired of feeling miserable. Anyhow, it's hard to extricate that from this listen. RIP Dick.

Fleet Foxes debuted right at the end a decade I spent mostly living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Fleet Foxes gave me the ability to take with me the feeling of sitting atop a mountain and taking in the misty valley below. It also came out a decade after Korn's "Follow the Leader," yesterday's album that couldn't be more different from "Fleet Foxes." And while "Follow the Leader" heralded some dark days ahead for popular music, Fleet Foxes represented an emergence from the tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel had been visible for a while, after a few years of descending into the darkness, but the light had been growing ever-brighter thanks to "indie" slowly retaking the rock reigns from nu-metal thanks to the efforts of The Shins, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Modest Mouse, and many more. "Fleet Foxes" felt a bit like a culmination of a decade that started so dark, now coming back into the light. As the opening track declared - "the sun, it will rise." And it let me take the Blue Ridge Mountains with me wherever I went.

I feel like the album cover really reflects the album. From far away, the picture is calm and serene. Up close, there are so many intricacies. This album is really beautiful but ultimately I prefer my serene music to be a little more depressing so that I can really get a good wallow.

This seems like something I would have liked better with the echoy sound and folksy ambiance. Thanks like it, don’t get me wrong. Like a 3.25. Something is missing. The instrumentals are fairly simple and don’t excite me much. They aren’t bad, but no “oohs” or “wows” here. Other than, I liked Blue Ridge Mountains a lot.

Beautiful album

J'ai vraiment trouvé ca super bon. Rafraichissant, ca sonne comme plusieurs band qui on sortit du matériel semblable dans ces années. Je suis surpris et je ne connaissais pas alors je suis très heureux. 5

Hipster hippies

For a 39 minute album it sire feels lioe a 2 hour slog to get though.

Feels like I've been on a pretty meh album run lately so I was SO stoked to see this one come up. I knew some of the tracks but not all, and hearing it all brought together made for a pleasant listening experience! I've definitely spent more time with Josh Tillman (Father John Misty)'s solo works than his Fleet Foxes contributions but I see some similarities in the folk choir sounds - which I love. 5/5

NICE

3rd February 2023 Listened during the day on Friday, pub lunch with Johnny and Row and Tar in the evening. Ruminative indie takes me back to teenage years when white winter hymnal ruled.

Ok. Didn’t blow me away

I thought the first song sounded nice, but the rest of the album is just not my type of music at all. I’m not much of an indie pop folk enthusiast.

If you only listen to one Fleet Foxes album, you should listen to... Helplessness Blues. Well, actually I haven't given Crack Up or Shore enough of a listen but HB is a really great record. Better and more interesting than this one, which while a great debut and announcement of the band's somewhat memeable yet distinctive sound, trails off a bit towards the end. Great songs up front, a bit forgettable at the end. This is definitely something the band fixed on the follow up. Almost not worth mentioning the incredibly obvious influence of Simon and Garfunkel, and the Beach Boys vocally and Brian Wilson musically, but I will. Particularly in Quiet Houses, the standout Ragged Wood and the instrumental Heard Them Stirring. I also get a huge Red House painters vibe from Taking Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. Very accomplished debut, but better, more expansive music as they grew into their own sound was to follow.

It was ok. Some good songs, but the chill vibe kinda lost me after a while. I should probably listen again with more attention, right now I can't rate it more than this.

pretty good!! kinda a mumford and sons/avett brothers/lumineers vibe

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this album! Listened to it while driving through some foggy forests and it was so perfect! Highlights: White Winter Hymnal Tiger Mountain Peasant Song He Doesn't Know Why

Duh.

Ooowie what a goodie. Was weird juxtaposition listening to this driving in the desert though!

Wonderful folky album! Best tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, Your Protector, and Meadowlarks

Indie songs with good vibes (despite some depressive lyrics), but nothing else. Not bad, but too much bland for my taste.

Nice, probably 4

Nice one

Pretty, wistful, and woefully, utterly boring.

Not really a twang fan

Not my kind of type

Nice, very relaxing music. Seems like background music.

Snoozefest of the highest degree.

Gorgeous album by a special band. 5/5

Ive been wanting to get into these guys since this album's release... why not yet, I don't know.

Was more impressed by this album at the time of its release, but in the end Fleet Foxes turned out to be more of a typical Pitchfork band (the lyrics, the way of singing etc). Not that this record is bad, but the songs themselves are just not very strong, and when in the mood for music like this, I would just go for a CSN record or so.

Perfect harmonies, it just misses an edge somehow.

New year, same distorted feet. Anyway, indie is reputationally the home of the wimp. Are you an adolescent male bored by football, be it soccer or American football, and in possession of the upper body strength of Shirley Temple? Why not make your nest in the softest genre of all? Nobody will mock your underdeveloped chest and maintained-throughout-adolescence bedwetting in the all-accepting indie gang (well, they probably will still mock you, since people are arseholes, but you’ll find plenty to mock them back with, and they’ll be too soft to kick your head in anyway). That said and rather strangely, proper jocks, rugger buggers and other sporting males can be devoted fans of your Take Thats and your N-Syncs without inviting jeer. I guess being hard means you need seek no excuses, and you need develop no taste. However, there is a strand of indie that asserts its hardness. This is that peculiarly British strand of indie where pissed-up lads into footie also like coruscating guitar lines and lyrical cleverness/quirkiness. Descendants of punk and the rockier 60s bands (Who, Stones etcetry etcetry), bands like the Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and Oasis (all Manc) offered indie with a promise of a ruck. And if you want a reason why hard indie emanated in the UK and not the USA, it may well be the sporting differences between the two countries. The big 4 sports in America all stipulate exacting male body types: real big, real tall, presumably able to fill the whole toilet bowl in one sitting. Football, by which I irritatingly have to indicate that I mean soccer, has no specific body type. Maradona was a stocky 1.65 m, Pelé was a slighter 1.73 m, and Messi is exactly inbetween at 1.69 m. As such, football (soccer) lacks many of the physical determinants of more American sports. So, your shortarse teen into Blur may well still be on the school football B team, and from this unlikely union betwixt the football (soccer) fan and the indie fan springs hard indie. Your American teenage indie boy has no such avenue to escape the wedgies and develop some resilience, and contents himself with soft indie and the luxury of a mildly tortured emotion (but only mildly, for this is soft indie). Fleet Foxes could be the polar opposite to hard indie. This is indie at its very softest, indie with a Mohs scale rating of talc. At the time they released this, their debut album, they described themselves as “not much of a rock band.” No, they weren’t. They were the perfect example of American soft indie. And this unadulterated concentration, this Platonic form of soft indie reveals to us all the merits and shortcomings of soft indie. The most prominent and immediate aspect to the album that the listener notices is how central the harmonies are to it. This band loves their harmonies as much as they presumably love identifying with Holden Caulfield. And the idea of this technical intricacy should be impressive, and every listener can construct in their head the line of reasoning which concludes that they should find Fleet Foxes’ harmonies impressive. But the harmonies just won’t impress the listener, for one simple and vicious reason: no memorable melodies. I have listened to this album several times over this past week, and only now can I vaguely recall a snippet of a melody from it. And I’ve just put on a different band, and thus even that snippet has now fled my head. This lack of melodic strength, especially when contrasted with the all the harmony, almost feels like a cruelty, as if they’re teasing us with its absence in the manner of a kidnapper sending the family his victim’s little finger. Still, they do have all that harmony, and none of the album sounds bad at all. But it has that awful bugbear, a slavishness to good taste. Yes, with all that harmony, one recognises the band bowing down towards the Beach Boys and CSNY. Along with this, they have the good taste to borrow, not steal, from the most credible British folk (Nick Drake and Fairport Convention, rather than anything involving a bagpipe or forty verses about the death of the village’s fletching industry). The result is that nothing on the album has enough sharpness to lodge in the memory. I can’t tell you a single lyric, or hum you a single tune. By way of contrast, I just had a look at the bottom 20 albums, and could fair hum tunes from over half. I was inclined to give this three stars, but what will that teach us? That it’s acceptable to aim for just being acceptable? Next time, Fleet Foxes, give me more. Two stars, to make an example of you. And remember that, although your girlfriend may like your softness when, say, first meeting her parents, there are some areas where she will definitely prefer you hard. NoRadio, signing off.

4.1 fun

Beautiful album.

I never know what to make of Fleet Foxes.

Birminghams Airport, setting of the New Year.

Not as bad as expected. Makes you feel like biking on a spring day.

4.5

Dicht und mächtig

It’s indie hipster shit and it’s quite good indie hipster shit probably 3/5.

Like a more boring Mumford and Sons, with hints of (a poor facsimile of) Roddy Woomble's solo stuff. Decent, but unexciting, part of the wave of landfill folk that followed landfill indie for a few years. White Winter Hymnal is the best track, but that's a bit like being the tallest dwarf.

Knew from the outset I would like it. Amazing vibes the first half of the album definitely a different sound to the second half I feel like the end half was more guttural? More piercing I guess? Where I was hopping to the first half. Fave tracks - meadowlarks -winter white hymnal - tiger mountain peasant song -your protector

2.75. It’s fine, a little too laid back folky. Interesting that it was way more successful in the UK than US. Probably why it’s here

Blue ridge mountains is the highlight for me, never been huge on robin Pecknolds voice

Pretty enjoyable, definitely remember liking these guys in the early 2010s.

Pretty good album to relax to.

It’s called alternative, but feels more folksy, like a cousin of Mumford and Sons. It’s the kind of music you love having in the background, but can’t ever remember the songs. Like some medieval troubadour playing whimsical music as the album cover sort of alludes.

Really great album. Fleet Foxes are a great band, and this is arguably their best, most impactful album. I've heard it before, but it's a fresh treat today. Very soothing music, perfect for a mountain drive. Not a whole lot that sticks out, but who really cares? It's consistent and enjoyable. I really dig this one, it's a modern classic in my eyes. Favorite tracks: Sun It Rises, White Winter Hymnal, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song. Album art: Really a spectacular one, reminds me of those old Renaissance era paintings, sometimes of Hell, with a bunch of people just doing whatever. Great style. Not sure if I'd call it iconic, but it's one I know and recognize well. 4/5

Good. There isn’t much else to say.

Banger

Brilliant album. For me, this was a new unique style of music. Certainly something I had not heard before. The fleet Foxes album just seemed to open up other artists and I'd actually 'forgotten' about fleet Foxes until a few months ago. To hear it again then (and yesterday here) reminded me of what a great debut album this was

It seems that folk or country/pastoral are the only genres that sound good when overblown. This is a pleasant surprise, like an accidentally stunning rural landscape. Almost a 5 if it didn't drag in the end.

I remember this album getting crazy amounts of hype back in the day. I thought it was solid and well-produced, short and sweet. But not really my style. Pleasant but somewhat uninteresting.

One I already know and love. Hadn't listened to it in a while though so thanks for the reminder 1001 albums generator!

Can't get into it. Low impact.

On est pas bien là ?

oui bon c'est mimi

It's good, the motifs and transitions are seamless, good instrumentals, but it gets a little samey and feels like a lot of other folk music projects

Banger album banger band

Listened before, enjoyable

This sounds like hymnals written by people who love the smell of their own farts and never wear shoes, even in the snow. I don’t like hymnals, hate the smell of my farts, and have been known to wear shoes to bed. Therefore, it is not for me.

- generic 2010s indie folk rock, peak hipster cafe vibes - thank god this genre has fallen out of popularity stand outs: white winter hymnal

Bit dull

Beautiful, could be a 5 if i was more attentive

This is close. This is close to something I'd like. It doesn't sound bad. But it also doesn't sound great. The tunes are inoffensive. The whole thing is a little beige.

This is what all the hype was about ten years ago?! A bunch of my pals were going cock-a-hoop over this wank? What a mushy, churchy load of old pony.

I'd rather just listen to My Morning Jacket.

Didn't hate it but its a one and done for me.

One of my favourites.

Sounds a bit like something you'd hear at a church gathering.

I feel like I should like Fleet Foxes, lots of crossover with bands I do like, and yet somehow I've never been able to get on with their songs 😵‍💫

"you should come back home now"

Don't know if it was the album art or the melodies but this made me think of folk songs performed by a traveling minstrel show. A very pleasant surprise here.

3.5/5

Nice calm music.

Some late 2000s indie music not necessarily my style atm. Was enjoyable though

I can appreciate this album, with its roots in British folk, but I've never fallen in love with it. I guess that sweet Byrds style of vocal harmony just isn't my thing. Still, this is a good album, very listenable, great musicians, cool layers of psychedelic folksiness. 3.5/5, rounding up in an attempt to be fair to good musicians.

noiosetto

Reminded me of Stawbs when I first heard them. I think after a while I would be tired of the same voice but the music was different and enjoyable.

This is a wonderful album, and it has just gotten better over the years. It reminds me of taking the Amtrak to Holden village with my sister - we wanted to listen to something that felt like going west, and it was just the ticket. The fact that it's a debut album is amazing, the package is fully formed and very mature.

One of my favorite mixes I ever made started off with "White Winter Hymnal" from this album and went into "My Girls" by Animal Collective. It was probably around February 2009, and in retrospect it was a pretty great time for music. I don't usually go for most folky things but Fleet Foxes come across original enough that I enjoy it. Timeless in a way that really grabs you emotionally. Their arrangements and harmonies have a great balance of quiet beauty and bombastic joy. At once pleasant and haunting.

Fleet Foxes are one of the bands of the indie-folk years of 2010s that still hold up, I think Helplessness Blues is better but overall this debut is solid, I just don’t wanna listen to it as an album typically.

Good overall, but would take a few listens to be more familiar with

Really beautiful, melodic stuff. The lyricism is excellent and even the moments that feel like filler are still great. Just a really stunning record overall and understandably considered the peak of indie folk in the 2000s.

Worth another visit

A bit too folky for my tastes but impressed nonetheless. Blue ridge mountains and white winter hymnal are songs I’d definitely go back to.

When I listen to this album I want to be biking down a dirt road surrounded by a forest full of autumn leaves. Everything about it is dream like. Not a happy dream, or a scarry dream, but a dream full of solitude and wandering. I think Fleet Foxes have mastered the use of an ambient effect; adding a short reverb and working the sound.

A phenomenal debut, no doubt. I always thought I should like this album more. And I gave it my best shot today. That songwriter Robin Pecknold and producer Phil Ek were able to craft such a catchy record, that is simultaneously so dense in musical arrangements and lyrical poetry, and that feels timeless—in the sense that it does not feel of our era in 2008 but not definitively of any other era that came before us—and placeless—in that it definitely does not feel of its Seattle roots—is remarkable. It's a great album to visit in the winter too. I think those words—timeless and placeless—begin to get at my problem with this record. It all feels a bit like dress up. A little too myth-makey and certainly it feels a great deal too much like a cipher. As folk music goes, Fleet Foxes lacks the personal surrender on the part of Pecknold that would ordinarily invite me in. Instead what I find inviting is a great deal of style and poetry. Beauty that lacks specificity beyond generalized thematic textures. On \"Blue Ridge Mountains\" he sings of \"connecting flights,\" but it's one of the album's only references that relate to the actual world we and Pecknold live in. It feels like one of the album's only immediately personal moments, of which I crave far more. I'm being too hard. And I'm not saying that these songs aren't imbued with meaning for Pecknold or other fans—they assuredly are—but that I just feel lost somewhere outside of it. Out in the snow looking in at someone else's fire. Even with a deep listen, my full concentration, and lyrics in front of me, I don't learn any more about Pecknold or his Fleet Foxes project. I'm only able to glean insights through the clothes they wear. That is, the wonderful style they dress these folk songs up in. The story world they build from the inside out. The cryptic moments of bittersweet poetry: \"And Michael, you would fall and turn the white snow red as strawberries in summertime.\" The wonderful harmonies, and so on. Those are the things that invite me in, rather than Pecknold himself. On the other hand, \"Oliver James\" is a song that feels deeply personal to Pecknold, like you can hear his spirit and his voice clearly. But reading the lyrics, I just get confused. It doesn't seem to go deeper than the impression of beauty. Which is still pretty nice. It still is beauty. And I like listening to these songs. It's just... I guess my sentiments can be summed up in discussing the album art. It's wonderful. Immediately impressionistic on a casual glance. But up close full of so much beauty; strange stories, darkness and violence, demons, comedy, absurdities, myth, and so on. It's stunning. But trying to make any sense of this textured madness, and the sand sifts through my fingers. Perhaps that's a magically fleeting experience to have with an album. Perhaps I have the wrong mindset and I should just let this album wash over me like a bath and not think so hard about it. Sadly, that's not what I’m looking for. The water is warm but cools quickly, and I'm left feeling a bit hopeless.

I've always loved Fleet Foxes but didn't really go deep with them until I listened to their album "Crack-Up". Since then I haven't followed their discography very closely, but I appreciate how little it seems their musical core has changed over the years. They've created a world and left a door open to it ever since. Even as the Fleet Foxes grew more ambitious with their arrangements and writing styles in the years following their eponymous album, would-be departures from this musical home still call it to mind as the place from which we left and to which we always will return. I do think that Robin Pecknold has become a much better singer since this album was released, but besides that it feels like the world of the Fleet Foxes has remained more or less unchanged since its inception. Lyrically, melodically, harmonically, sonically, this music almost always rings the right bells for me. I always get the impression that their music is a big, white, billowing sheet of silk trailing behind a slow-moving plane. Robin Pecknold's voice soars prismatically over hazy pastures of fading green and brown and blue. It's always some time between the end of fall or the quiet onset of winter here, as the listener huddles by a gentle fire, the tip of their nose still a bit cold. Maybe there's an ocean nearby. Every once in a while a flowing run or an especially sharp lyric will pierce the veil and strike me deep in my belly. Pecknold's lyrics always tease towards an open end, a restless urge, an unfinished investigation, in such a way that has me nodding solemnly to their implied questions: "Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it tragic?" The language calls to mind some deep and abiding pastoral mythology, yet for the most part still feels confidently unadorned. I love "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song". The beginning guitar parts remind me a lot of Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat", but Pecknold's flowing melodies are unbounded from a strophic frame in a way that sets the song apart from its here-presumed inspiration. Past that I don't have too many specific points to hit on this album. It feels like a long and gentle flight over a pastoral landscape, as the humble denizens below attempt to make the most out of what precious daylight hours remain.

So lovely. A truly unique sound. When I listen to this album I feel like I'm walking through the forest in a timeless autumn. The album cover and the lyrics on songs like Tiger Mountain Peasant Song place me in some medieval land, but then I'm jolted back to modernity with "O brother, where do you intend to go tonight? I heard you missed your connecting flight." Robin Pecknold's voice is the golden goose that keeps on giving. 4.4/5

I mean, what to even say. Ambitious and full of joy. Re-listening to it, I’m struck by how much heart is clearly in the making of this album, especially in Robin Pecknold’s vocal performances. There’s really nothing like it… he’s laying it all on the line for some of these recordings. It’s easy to take a backseat listen to “Fleet Foxes,” to keep it on in the backdrop and largely tune out to its arrangements, its lyrics. But poking under the surface is a real, joyful world that they carved out on this album. It’s a sound that feels like it’s always been there, but it hasn’t… it’s fully unique to this record! There are plenty of influences to string the story along, and I especially noticed some of the psychedelic folk influences this time around. But it’s really a world unto its own, which is easy to forget after 15 years. A monumentally ambitious sound, confidently realized on a debut album. 5 well-deserved stars.

Oh boy, this album was a crucial part of my upbringing. I recently returned to it a few months ago because Fleet Foxes came to Philly and I needed to brush up on some of my old favorites before I saw them live. Every member of my household had Fleet Foxes playing 24/7, often different albums coming from different rooms. Given the nature of Fleet Floxes, this actually sounded pretty good. I came out of the experience loving them even more. Almost every song on this album is a stand alone jam for me. Some highlights include White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, and Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m appreciating some of the less popular songs on the album like Meadowlark. What a stunning song. I missed it back in 2008, but if seems like a song I’ll listen to over and over again. Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the bands’ greatest achievements. There is something special about loving a song over the course of many years and returning to it at just the right times. I can’t review this album without mentioning the Bruegel the Elder painting as cover art. It’s actually a detail from the larger painting. If you look closely you can pick out the strange happenings—people on fire, carving live animals, a man releasing a snake into the river. Everyone is up to their own “foolishness,” and the effect as a whole is beautiful and chaotic. I love this album. I want to give it a 5/5, but I do Helplessness Blues and Shore better. But I realize 5/5 albums are like best friends: you can have more than one! So this album is a 5 for me.

Eh

Melancholy folky

Not necessarily bad, but couldn't discern much difference in any of the songs. Wouldn't say I enjoyed it. Wouldn't bother to listen to it again.

This album killed indie music.

A Pitchfork special. Tyler will give this 5 stars. Standard "folk revival" stuff where we overproduce and always have somebody noodling high up the neck of a telecaster. Nothing overly offensive here, but nothing actually new, innovative, or super interesting. If Tyler put this on I'd survive and just hope he grew a pair and put on Weld. These guys cosplay medieval European peasants. It's fine, overall. Closer to a 3 than a 2. But I round down. Worked with Kanye verifies a 2.

Big improvement from yesterday. I like this one

pretty

Borde egentligen tycka om det här men det är inte särskilt kul. Velar mellan tvåa eller trea. Bestämmer mig imorgon.

I was never a fan of this genre, or any of its siblings. The pure indie choir boy, hey-ho sound can only stay interesting for so long. Personally, I like my music to have a touch more grit - which this album had none of. It is well-produced and it's good music for fans of the style so I certainly see the appeal, it's just too clean and pristine to be my thing. Back when this music was big I was still all aboard the emo bandwagon, so we never really clicked. I did enjoy Tiger Mountain Peasant Song & Your Protector though, mainly because they were a bit darker than the rest of the record.

Too precious for my tastes

I've never read so many praises by music critics about a seemingly ordinary indie/folk album. It's the first time I've heard of band Fleet Foxes, and after digging deeper into their discography and reviews, I feel a massive dissonance between what's has been written and what I think about this album. The self-titled album is a very soft and gentle folk pop, which sounds like a lullaby version of Mumford and Sons, if only all band members knew how to sing. The songs are very atmospheric and give you a vibe of a perfect listening session in late autumn, with a hot cocoa, under the blanket, with a cliche rain/snow outside. The album at times feels more manufactured than natural, like prepared by some perfect music AI, which programmed all the voices in spotlessly clean harmony, with no unnecessary sound or a note, from start to finish. The song, like for example their single "White Winter Hymnal" are really nice to listen to, but somehow it feels, just simply, like a product. And hey, it was good, but I'm not buying it.

Not massively inspiring. Kind of nice but also a bit meh

Chill an nice

Vaguely has an early CSNY sound. Listened through twice.

Pas mindblown mais pas détesté. Du bon indie folk. Définitivement à revisiter

decent, mellow and 1 tempo

I enjoyed this one though it did grow a bit boring and repetitive by the end. For the first half, however, it was beautiful, innovative, and delightful. Hard to fault it for just giving us more of the same, good thing. But I'm gonna do it anyway. It's not a five-star album but it is a strong four-stars.

Just a lovely album.

Great album

Lovely album 🦊

Easy listening.

pretty classic album

Lovely and elevating, almost purifying. One feels almost vegan by the end. But such earnest loveliness – not to mention understatment – is a welcome break from the bombast and posturing across so much of rock/pop music history. "White Winter Hymnal" is of generational quality, in terms of defining a moment and clarifying a sub-genre, or heralding a micro-era (these guys being head and shoulders above Avett Bros, Mumford & Sux, Old Crow and others mining the neo-traditional vein about this time). Fro the very strong start, the record just keeps getting better and better, with the last cuts – "Quiet Houses," "Your Protector," "Meadowlarks," "Blue Ridge Mountains" and "Oliver James" – achieving and maintaining a very high standard indeed.

Too pretty … I like it, but reminds me too much of My Morning Jacket and I’m over them.

massa o som

It's boring as fuck. How people are listening to this in their millions I'll never know.

Haven't listened to this album for ages, and it's a mix between some really quite good songs (generally the ones with a bit more emphasis on the music - Ragged Wood, Your Protector probably my favourite 2), and some vocal arrangements that are perfectly pleasant, but a bit twee. Listening to it back in 2008, it felt very different from anything else that I was listening to then, the sound isn't quite as unusual now but it's still a decent listen. 3/5. 

This was much better than I expected! Between 3 and 4 stars. I'm giving it 4 to encourage me to listen to this album again. I suspect this music would grow on me with repeat listening.

The mid-late aughts are the absolute peak of the indie rock genre in my eyes, and this album is a perfect example. Gorgeous harmonies and guitar playing. White Winter Hymnal is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Tuesday, behind on work, destroyed at kickball, but good vibes, kinda tired

To me, not quite as good as Helplessness Blues, but a very close second. Still the foundational Fleet Foxes sound - haunting vocals on haunting instrumentals.

Already heard it

And now I know who Lord Huron's favorite band is. "White Winter Hymnal" is one that I've heard before and quite like. When I first heard that this was a folk album, I was a bit skeptical, but his album was a home run.

Folky Indy like this tends to leave me cold. Not all the time, but this one did in any case. I think the make/break quality for me is I prefer duets and/or solo woman singer over solo man singer

I was fine with this. Wouldn't turn it off if it hit my shuffle, wouldn't actively seek it out. If I could give a half star I would at 2.5. It is exactly the middle for me.

Not my favorite indie rock band but its a good album. Songs kind of all run together & sound similar

This was overdue for a relisten, and I didn't realize how much I liked it. I just love the lyricism and how BIG it sounds, I don't know how else to say. "Your Protector," "Ragged Wood," "White Winter Hymnal," and "Blue Ridge" are probably my fave tracks.

A pleasant album! Reminded me of Of Monsters and Men at times. Loved the acoustic style and echoes added. Similar to Intervention, this album sounds like it would be perfect in a cathedral, but like a half-ruined cathedral in the forest in this case.

A return to folk

White Winter and Oliver James are classics. Good folky stuff.

Ehhh, too many college vibes, I feel besides winter hymnal it’s too bland

3.4

decent. 3/5

I've tried these dudes before, and even attended a concert of theirs with a friend, but they're just too (almost sickeningly so) earnest and, well, twee. I get it. Y'all can harmonise with each other. Maybe write a good song or two as well, yeah?

Good folk, however nothing hooked me

Big love for Fleet harmonies. This album has been in heavy evening rotation for years.

So nice

Sounded good to start with but I lost concentration pretty quickly. The word "pretentious" keeps entering my consciousness. Then I read some quotes by Robin Pecknold, he is pretentious with a capital W. The annoying thing is that I can hear echoes of Brian Wilson, which should make me want to like it, but it just sounds try hard. I'm getting to the end and it's just sounding annoying. Bellowing out "Oliver James!" at the end of a song doesn't help. Spotify decided to play Belle and Sebastian after this album had finished. I think that comes from a playlist entitled "Overrated Twaddle." I'm going to listen to Queen now, to get my good humour back. They were over the top, but with tongue wedged firmly in cheek.

Well this is all very pleasant

Loved it! I recognized some songs that I didn't know were by Fleet Foxes so enjoyed that added context.

huge fan

Love this album. Great folk music at its best. Like S&G at their best.

very pleasant background music, didnt catch any remarkable songs

Ik hoor een Hammond orgel voor de liefhebber. Muziek klinkt een beetje '70s maar het album is van 2008. Grappig. Zitten wel een paar leuke liedjes bij. ***

Cool it with the reverb effect and I think you’d have a pretty solid album. 4/5

Ljúf þjóðlagatónlist, flottar raddanir.

Really tasteful record with a variety of enjoyable tracks and interesting productions. The overall project is absolutely solid especially because of the great atmosphere of every song on the album.

Undoubtedly one of the best indie folk debut albums ever created. It was the perfect storm for a well deserved success in the late 2000s. A very pleasant revisit. First Listen?: N Fav. Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, He Doesn't Know Why, Your Protector Rating: 4.5/5

I think Hampus would have liked this

I think I would really like this if I was more into folk music, but currently it is more 'kinda nice' for me.

When I refreshed the page this morning and saw this album pop up on my screen I was so immensely happy. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and Fleet Foxes one of my top bands. To put it in perspective, 5 of the 11 songs are in my daily playlist (10 total by the band), and 4 made it to the playlist I made for my mom to get a better grasp on the music I love. All that to say it is an instant 5 for me and I am more than happy to give it another listen through with some long listening notes (song by song time! WOOT WOOT!). "Sun It Rises" - I love the traditional folk vocal intro to set the pace of the album in a way. The guitar intro is fun and uplifting and the ethereal vocals on the rest of the song fit my listening style of treating the voice as an instrument and not noticing lyrics right away quite well. The outro riff gives me a almost strokes vibe. "White Winter Hymnal" - It sounds like they are making an indie folk cover of a traditional folk song, but no its an original. I do love the Pentatonix version of this one too. "Ragged Wood" - This is one of the best songs on the album, certainly a departure from the first two song in terms of rhythm and BPM, it plays to its favor though pulling you back in after you drift off to dreamland during "White Winter Hymnal". The bass on this song is fantastic when it is poking through in the energetic parts it is captivating and then a simple but not overbearing bass solo as it then builds instrument on instrument back to that energy. I have listened to this song 62 times according to Spotistats and have never really had the reaction I just had to the bass on that song and I processed some of the vocals in a way I hadn't before. It sounds cheesy, but that moved me. Maybe it was listening through my studio headphones instead of speakers for once but it was amazing. "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" - This goes back to that traditional folk sound of the doubled guitars making a harp like sound is just purely gorgeous. When they sync up for a measure or two at a time it brings the contrast of the two together. It reminds me of the composition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair/Canticle". The near shouted vocals on the what I guess you could call choruses have such a visceral feeling to them. "Quiet House" - This is probably my least favorite track on the album. It has amazing instrumentation to it especially that bass it really pulls the other parts together. The "Don't give in" section is what really throws me off, I just hear "Donkey Man" over and over again. The guitar on the outro is also very fantastic. I still really like the track just not my favorite. "He Doesn't Know Why" - I can't quite place my finger on it but the vocals on the intro reminds me so much of another song. It has bothered me since the first time I heard this song and still does. Great song with more great instrumentation. I love the in sync rests they do just before the bridge. "Heard Them Stirring" - I don't have too much to say about this one. It is a good filler track. I don't have strong feelings either way it is just a meditative respite in the middle of the album. "Your Protector" - Another of my favorites. The vocal and flute intro is very gently powerful. The build of the chugging cymbal leading into the bass dig in and then an explosion of instrumentation. There is so much to dissect in this song and I love it more and more each time. "Meadowlarks" - Another one of my lower listen count songs. I love the guitar part under the vocals. They work as two different songs in one that just fit with each other. The chorus of vocals that come in for the middle of the song are very relaxing. The song as a whole is very relaxing. A little too low energy for it to be on my everyday playlist, but I love it. "Blue Ridge Mountains" - The song named for my favorite place on this planet. Is it my favorite for that reason or because it is just an amazing and beautiful song. A little combination. I do prefer the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina but close enough. Another traditional folk sound on the intro. I close my eyes and I am taken there while listening. I can't wait to go back. It is the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever been. Its fitting for one of the best Indie Folk albums to have a song about part of Appalachia one of the birthplaces of American music and particularly folk. Everybody should drive at least part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in their life. The rolling blue mountains for as far as the eye can see just have the most beautiful calming aspect. "Oliver James" - Another "lowlight" of the album for me. Doesn't mean it isn't a good song I just wish it was in a different spot and it ended with the fade out of "Blue Ridge Mountains". I was going to try to provide a little bit of an objective review at the end but that will not be possible. This is a top 10 album for me all time. It is just a beautiful indie folk album that is in my opinion and absolute must listen before you die. If for some reason you are still reading my long winded review I highly recommend that you listen to A Very Lonely Solstice by Fleet Foxes. It is one of my favorite live recorded albums I have ever heard. It certainly benefits from being recorded with no audience during COVID so not a live album in the typical way. I love this album, I love this band, I was having a stressful week and this just melted so much of my stress away.

It’s nicely done with some memorable melodies and lovely harmonies. But my god it’s earnest, with no edge or bite

pleasant enough listen, but one of the best 1000 albums ever made?

I own or downloaded a Fleet Foxes album years ago... not this one thankfully. But now I think about it there is maybe only one track I like on that one. There were zero on here - and I like a bit of folksy Americana

The perfect accompaniment to watching paint dry

It’s its time and not something I’ll rush back to, but didn’t mind listening to it again at all. A few enjoyable tracks have been added to my Best of 1001 Albums playlist and that’s more than the Eagles achieved

Ok...generally it's a meh. But, White Winter Hymnal is a song of it's time, and I respect Fleet Foxes influence on that folk scene that became big around that time. I'm not going be choosing it to play, but my ears wont be offended to hear it playing round a sibling in law's house. Which is likely. Your Protector - enjoyed the drums.

I remember buying this way back when, and was quite excited when this came up. For starters, White Winter Hymnal is a belter. But playing it again, it all sounds so kooky and hip and folksy. You soon get this uneasy feeling that this album enabled Mumford & Sons, which makes it hard to forgive. I have no idea what Fleet Foxes are really like, but it's too easy to imagine them as a bunch of city-dwellers who put on a tweed waistcoat and then pretend they've spent the day threshing wheat. The highlights aside, the folksiness was downright tiresome.

It's not a crush for me.

La copertina mi piace un sacco. Album rilassante, simpatico. Tuttavia, non c'è quel quid che lo potrebbe definire un capolavoro, a cui riservo le 4 e le 5 stelle.

Un album piacevole. Niente di più, niente di meno.

Ei ole mua varten. Liian indiehipsuttelua.

Yritin lähestyä fanipoikailematta ja kriittisesti, mutta kyllähän tää sydämen vei taas jo kolmannen biisin kohdalla. Jos jollain levyllä on melodiat 5/5, niin se on tämä.

Sydämestäni on alkanut löytyä pehmeä kohta folkille ja onhan tää siinä genressä hyvä erityisesti debyytiksi. 4/5.

This album sitting at an average of 3.5 is appropriate for what it is. Well crafted and produced songs that do nothing exciting. It's like ordering the poached pear for dessert and wishing you'd had the tiramisu like your friend did.

Nice background music. Nothing revolutionary for me but I enjoyed it

Amazing vocal production, the album was quite lush with melodic instrumentation and was an album that I could actively have in the background for working.

Sound is nice, but didn't make much impact on me

Really good, For all the bad albums on here this was great.

The constantly harmonised and reverb-soaked vocals do my head in. In addition the music is bland without any real personality.

Beardy, flannel wearing lumberjacks with a Beach Boys obsession roll up and chop up some tunes. Best Tracks: White Winter Hymnal; Ragged Wood; Blue Ridge Mountains

Me gusto. Super tranqui. Tiene algo de Pink Floyd.

There isn't a single moment on this album that I didn't like. Lush acoustic guitars, droning organs, booming tom drums, and a soft dusty voice all contribute to the resulting warm indie-folk sound. The chords and melodies are drenched in typical indie melancholy, but the album's supreme charm helps to disguise its cliches. I love it.

This album is so forgettable, I truly fail to comprehend why it’s included here.

Drivel, hard to find any redeeming features. Soft, inoffensive folk that feels like it was written purely for BBC Radio 2. I can see why some people might like it, as it’s a very good attempt at what it’s trying to be, but I hate what it’s trying to be.

Folky, with interesting harmonies. Inconsistent quality. Kinda meh.

Nice. Low.

Very good relaxing album.

Great listen

One of the best indie albums ever. Such an easy listen & super relaxing. Fav song: Your Protector

Album was a nice listen. Very relaxing music and interesting instrumentals. Not the type of music I would go back to too often, but I'm glad I listened to it. Favorite track: Ragged Wood

Great album, beautiful vocals. Fav track: Quiet Houses

Generally like the early age Psych-Folked Fleet Foxes.

It's pretty chill, I can vibe to it. But I prefer Lord Huron for my modern folk, tortured indie artist tunes. I love this album cover! I could look at it for hours, it's very amusing and captivating.

it was ok not really my thing 3/5

piola yanki

Please make it stop

Not bad but it's hard to say is one of the 1001...

One of my favorite albums of the 2010’s indie era. Bearded angels

Red house painters in a happy mood belike this. :)

pretty sweet folk! folk just isn’t my favorite genre, it probably could’ve been a higher rating if i liked the genre more.

This is certainly a unique set of songs with great vocal and instrumental textures. Sort of anachronistic at times, especially on Blue Ridge Mountains where the musical style seems out of the past, but the lyrical content is very much of the present day. Nice arrangements throughout. A second listen helped me to note a strong resemblance to The Beach Boys in the harmonies. The melodic lines, the way they riffed and repeated, was also reminiscent of some of Brian Wilson’s compositions, especially later ones.

A bit repetitive in sound but all was good.

A little too much whining. Nit comfortable to listen to.

2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 :)

Líders, juntament amb Mumford and Sons, del resorgiment del folk rock a finals dels 00s. 'White Winter Hymnal' és un dels grans temes de la década i amenaça amb enfosquir la resta, però no seria just. 'Sun It Rises', 'Ragged Wood', 'Oliver James'... el disc en general és força complet i val la pena recuperar-lo de tant en tant

Classic aughts vibe

Is there talent here? Yes. Do I want to listen to more of their music? Nope.

Boring & unoriginal.

was not in the mood for this. Did not enjoy this. Glad when this was over.

Fun album

It’s nice and mellow listen, even it hipster CSNY/CSN knock-offs aren’t your jam.

Brilliant debut with a great harmonious tone with the band and vocals totally in sync like they had been recording for years

Really cool folk music. Unexpectedly pretty good. May listen to it more. Feels like it would be traditional even though it was released in 2008.

I guess they are their generation's Turin Brakes? But more English: they sound uncanny and unsettling to me, they make me think of The Wicker Man even though I've never seen that film.

Great album. Love the blend of Folk and rock, very similar to My Morning Jacket, perhaps a bit mellower. Always a fun listen.

I like some indie folk, but I’m not much for hymnal style harmonies. So there are elements of this record I like, mainly instrumental, but overall I would never put this on to listen to.

I love this album. I listened to it a lot when it came out.

Enjoyed this album quite a bit. Had not heard it before, this was in my "dark times" of not listening to any new music.

Love this album- it brings back great memories!

Always loved this record

this makes me feel like i’m going through the great depression and the album cover isn’t helping

that's how my depression sounds like

The Beach Boys maakten het iniedergeval wat vrolijker

Cool plaatje!

Mjah, wel goed ofzo maar al de zoete harmonieën gingen me op den duur toch wel tegenstaan.

Heel veel gedraaid toen dit album net uit was. En ik vind het nog altijd erg goed. Prachtige zanglijnen en harmonieën. Ik snap dat dit door veel mensen al té zoet zal worden bevonden, maar voor mij is ie precies goed gevallen.

Goed aan te horen, maar door die voortdurende samenzang krijgt het ook wel een hoog geitenwollensokken-seventies-gehalte.

I really really dig it

There's never a wrong time for Fleet Foxes.... which is why I'm never allowed to DJ at parties.

Oh, this was a happy discovery! I am sure I have heard "White Winter Hymnal" before somewhere, but I wasn't familiar with Fleet Foxes before. I happily listened 3+ times today. I am intrigued by the sprinkling of random names in the songs. Who is Michael? Who is Jesse? Sean? All the songs are my favorite! "White Winter Hymnal" is a beautiful piece with its harmonies, instrumentation, and percussion. "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" and "Your Protector" are both beautiful and a little scary. "Meadowlarks" and "Blue Ridge Mountains" are just lovely and timeless (except for that connecting flight reference). This is a group I can't wait to hear more from, and the rare occasion where I want to go to the bonus discs!

During my first listen, I really didn't get it. I found it mostly boring. Then today when I used the album as the soundtrack for my walk on an overcast afternoon on the trails of the foothills with just an occasional passer-by, I was captivated. It was just perfect for the setting. It was a long walk and I listened twice. Later, when I returned to the house and put it on once again to try to pinpoint a favorite song, it just didn't sound the same. I guess this might be a very situational attraction for me.

I've heard of Fleet Foxes but I've never listened to them. If I've heard any of these songs before, I think I probably assumed it was a group from the 60s or early 70s. I'm reminded of Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Neil Young. Lyrics have a specificity that give them emotional heft beyond the usual clichés. Very nice indeed.

I was not expecting this... I have heard of Fleet Foxes and vaguely remembered them as an indie band. This was not what I expected. The musicians are exquisite. The music is exquisite. I loved every song. Some of the particular ones that really stood out on this stand out album included "White Winter Hymnal", "He Doesn't Know Why", "Your Protector", "Meadowlarks", and "Blue Ridge Mountains." But every song is worth listening to. This is a really special album that I am so thankful to now know.

Loved this. Need more Fleet Foxes. That's all there is to say.

Great album. Great vocals. Makes me a bit sleepy in a good way

Straight banger

Average tbh.

was okay

Have never really enjoyed Fleet Foxes. I've always found it a bit boring. Though, now that I'm turning into an old man, I don't mind it as much.

Love this album. It feels like a warm blanket. The layers of sounds in each song are lovely.

Blei lei av fleet foxes for mange år siden, men huske at eg syns da va greit på eit tidspunkt

Huske kje heilt, men trur da va sånn passe

Very relaxing album, gave me a lot of Mumford and sons vibes. Not bad just not my normal cup of tea.

Beautiful harmonies. There's something about mixing renaissance choral music with a folk band. (8/10) FT: Ragged Wood

Pretty bland

So unbelievably boring. I can't differentiate any of the songs it's just all so flat

Keep my BRUEGEL off your FUCKING album cover!

What happened to the indie-folk revival thing? Did it die yet? This one has some striking moments, with some strong lyrics, some lovely vocal moments, and the occasional memorable melody. But overall, I find it forgettable and samey. I think my issue is that filtering any genre through indie-rock is never going to improve it. 3*