Reviews (page 4 of 15)
This was a really really good album. Definitely my kind of music and I’d never heard of them before. Fav: white winter hymnal
I now this album! :-)
One of my favourites, always puts me in a good mood. I slightly prefer helplessness blues but this is still great
Holiday cheer may have inspired me to give this a more favorable rating, but it _is_ a great album
A classic. Means a lot to me. Heavenly vocals, incredibly well crafted songs. personal highlight: Your Protector, Ragged Wood and Oliver James.
Chills
Big fan of this album since it came out.
Indie folk royalty at its finest. If you like folk, you'll love this.
Oh my god I'm a little biased because I already knew of this album, but seriously I love it. The highly emotional vocal performance, the almost classical elements of the compositions, the timeless feel of the lyric content and music, the masterful production. A nearly perfect album that has resonated with me since I first listened to it, no matter what walk of life I'm at.
Outstanding. Loved it as a kid -- like it even more now. Blue Ridge Mountains is a damn near flawless song and the album has some killer mystique. 5/5
A classic of my generation
This folk rock album is not something that stands out in any way as being original or groundbreaking. This reason it is on the list is the unbelievable quality of the songs, great instrumentation and fantastic vocals. "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" is one of my all-time favorite songs. The album cover by Pieter Bruegel is so fitting and the story about getting permission to use it by the museum is heartwarming. It's filling a hole that I was not aware it did exist.
I remember the hype about this, but it really wasn't my type of music, so never really paid heed. Listening closely now, it's actually really quite lovely. Beautiful melodies, his voice is stunning, evocative, emotional, arrangements vary between sparse, spine-shivering, and orchestral and rich. Of course there are still plenty of folky and americana bits that just isn't my taste in music, but really they don't bother me. I'm actually quite baffled and amazed about what is it about this album that I like so much, given my strong aversion to folk music. I can't believe it, but am I about to give a 5 to a folk album?? Favourites: White Winter Hymnal of course (sang it in my choral group) Meadowlarks - beautiful sparse arrangement, maybe a bit too much reverb
Fantastic album. Been jamming it since it came out
Perfect.
One of those albums that spawned an entire genre of people trying to copy it and nobody else even came close.
LOVED IT!!!!
forever a fan of fleet foxes
Perhaps the best folk album to spawn since the new millenium began. Robin Pecknold's voice and the bands talent is obvious, and they create some of the most beautiful harmonies you'll ever hear.
Love it
this album is so good!! i loved this!! dont usually like folk either :))
Really nice!! Some beautiful and well performed vocal melodies. It seemed the second half was a lot weaker than the first, but i’m not sure if it was a difference in quality or the sound getting a bit monotonous. Still a really cool album, 9/10
Beautiful!!!
Amazing album.
Nice album to listen to, very well made and good quality👌🏽
Herlig folk! Føles utrolig varmt og organisk i både vokal og instrumental, og veksler mellom oppløftende og melankolsk. Dette kommer jeg nok til å høre mye på fremover!
About as near perfect as you can get.
Toll und anders als jedes andere Folk Album das ich kenne
Way better than exptected
Fantastische, rustgevende muziek met veel harmonieën in de zang en gitaarspel. Deze zal ik met plezier nog eens opzetten!
Excellent...love this album to bits 😍
Modern classic. Love it!
Crazy album that evokes a lot of positive and bittersweet emotions.
Indie folk. Reminded me of Zorbing
This is a delicious 5
Discazo
5
Easy 5 from ol donny here
something pleasebale to the mind
I don’t know how I overlooked this album (besides WWH)
Great album. Classic.
knew nothing about them going in. very pleasantly surprised
Excellent album, had already loved this record for years.
Man this is gonna make me need a cigarette when it turns 20. What a huge album in the development of my musical taste as a lad.
I can argue a 2 and/or a 4 on this one. But given the year it came out I’m going with the 4.
why don't they play this at the club Would I listen again: yes! Deserves to be on this list: modern indie classic. 4.4
I really enjoyed this, every song was enjoyable!
Normally, don't listen to this style of music, but I really, really enjoyed this album. It feels like a porch on a crisp autumn day + a cup of joe + a warm blanket in the NE.
zjjsaj
I liked the harmonies and themes on this.
I am completely down with this. I want to go for a walk somewhere cold, folourn, and beautiful. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song was especially... something.
Unfortunately for everyone around me. I love this album. Did it spawn a bunch of annoying copy cats sure. But…I love This.
Really fun. Solid 4.
YEAH
This was surprisingly nice! Probably an influence on Mumford and Sons, maybe influenced by The Shins and/or Paul Simon. I'd listen to this again.
I've seen this album on many lists of the best folk albums, and it definitely didn't steal its spot. The songs are all beautiful, but they're also all pretty distinct, have their own vibe. The texts are also poetic, and the voices are emotionally resonant. However, it would be hard to justify putting this on the same pedestal as the giants like Leonard Cohen or Simon & Garfunkel, so let's say it's a 4. Oh and, by the way, I come from poverty, so fuck you to the ignorant dickface in the reviews. Thinking you need to come from a privileged background to enjoy that kind of music is genuinely the stupidest thing I've read on this site so far, and that's including the mathematician guy from Be.
Folksy Appalachian pop, which is very easy to listen to.
Höga 4, inga dåliga låtar
Sounds like autumn
This is an album full of lovely songs and warming harmonies. It's accessible folk and very listenable both in the foreground and the background. It's well-produced and polished, despite it being a debut. It's a good record and even a couple of decades later (nearly) you can understand why it was so highly regarded when it came out.
chill and easy
Really foxed my fleets
Dropped out of this site for a while because busy, plus so many albums I already have. Finally, something new to me again. No time for a full review so I'll just use one word, one word I've never said or typed before in my life unless talking about a cartoon monkey. Gorgeous.
it's the 1970s. my dad's hair is kind of long. the bartender at the airport asks him and his friend if they're famous from something. they say they're the rolling stones. they sign autographs. it's the 2010s. my bestie's hair is getting kind of long. some girls in the french quarter ask him if he's famous from something. his brother says he's in the fleet foxes.
decent, chill
This feels like music that's scientifically engineered to be enjoyable, but isn't actually very good. I think i like it more than I dislike it, but I can't quite work out why
Great album with beautiful melodies. Favorite tracks: Oliver James, White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, Blue Ridge Mountains
First full listen. Meadowlarks is a favorite of mine. I like the album. It elicits feelings of nostalgia.
I am far enough removed from any hipsters to enjoy this album now. Before, it was a nightmare. I mean, who even allowed the hipsters to claim this one? I blame Garden State. Anywho, it's nice to hear the whole thing start to finish. Makes me want to go on a road trip.
Listening to this record is such a beautiful experience. While I marginally prefer 'Shore' as an outstanding piece of music, their debut holds its own as a very meaningful record as well. 9/10 [KEEP]
Inte min mest lyssnade genre kanske men gillare! 3,5/5
Pretty pretty
Really great album. Great voices. Great harmonies. Just great.
The new Beach Boys filtered through the 21st century...gasp and sit down...
I think this was a really interesting listen, unfortunately I had to listen to it in two parts cause I haven't found good time to listen to music up here yet. But it was still a pretty great album, it's a very calming and like chill album. I don't love late 2000s indie folk (aka I don't really like Bon Iver), but I found this to be a pleasantly listenable experience. It had its really solid moments, but not much else outside of that. Favorites: Sun It Rises, Heard Them Stirring, Oliver James
Loooved this album. It's so good, it feels magical.
This seemingly started a revival of music with harmonies. Beach Boys esque vocals along with interesting melodies. White Winter Hymnal was an instant classic that hasn't lost any of its charm even 20 years later. Great record.
A notable, sweet-sounding entry into the 2000s dreamy autumnal folk wave, definitely right up my alley, and definitely a wave with good things to offer, certainly not the worst of 21st-century music trends, and a lot of it no doubt takes inspiration from this album Music for running carefree through the forests and being one with nature
Yknow I thought this was gonna be more white man guitar but I genuinely liked it! Something in it tickled my brain
Man, this album is beautiful. The melodies are beautiful, the singing is beautiful, the production is beautiful, the instrumentation, the lyrics, everything. It's wonderful music. And yet, my first reaction was that they were probably a style over substance band, that the songs were mediocre at heart, and that repeated listens would sap the life out of the album. What absolute garbage. This is just unabashed, life-affirming music. Anyway, you've probably read all the recommendations already. The comparisons to Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and My Morning Jacket stand true, with this arguably being as good as anything released by either. Seriously. It's nearly impossible to find a bad song here. Maybe "Sun It Rises" seems a little underwhelming as an opener once you've absorbed the album as a whole, or maybe "Heard Them Stirring" is a bit too basic and throwaway and is saved by its production, but by the point you're making those claims its already a stretch. Really though this is just wonderful top to bottom.
I had never listened to this before but enjoyed the harmonies and arrangements. The production is excellent, adding layers of depth to what is traditionally quite a sparse genre. The only thing that counts against it is that a few of the songs tend to descend into vibes, where the harmonies and arrangement obscure a song which wouldn’t be memorable otherwise. This may improve with familiarity.
This is actually an album I bought right away. I was immediately drawn to its plaintive, pastoral atmosphere. The record blends gospel, folk, and psychedelia into a completely new sound. As the debut album from a brand-new band, it achieved worldwide success. Listening to it this morning was a real treat once again—a great way to start the day.
Some atmospheric accomplishments. Fantastic production, a couple of outstanding songs that lilt through the air.
🦊🍓❄️🍂🏔️
Love big star!
REALLY GOOD ITS FIREEE
Feels like a warm room on a cold day
Really enjoyed this! Simple with beautiful harmonies and lyrics.
Interesting 🤔
cute folk millennial hipster bla bla
A forgotten gem.
В общем, неплохой альбом, слушал его в два присеста, оба раза в электричке. В тексты особо не вслушивался, но чувствуется и немного слышится, что песни о природе, доме и семье. Да и общее звучание хорошо передаёт эту атмосферу, что-то похожее есть у Нирваны в песне Sliver Американский пригород, Пирог, Мама, папа, дед, бабка и Ностальгия. Мне альбом понравился, хорошо попал в летнее настроение, из минусов отмечу, что звучание немного однообразное во всех песнях, можно было бы немного изменить звук в паре песен, но, видимо, такое было виденье автора. Подытожить хочу такими словами: «Хорошо в родном краю, пахнет сеном и говном!»
Totally unique sound combined with great songwriting. 4/5
It’s nice to find a folk album that I actually like (though admittedly I knew about this one already). Good music, if a bit monotonous. More passionate vocally than most folk music I’ve listened to so far. I’m happy with it
Was so excited when I got this for the day. I have listened to several songs from it before — and loved them — so I am glad that I finally listened to the album straight through. Reminds me of a winding road through a wooded canyon
Beautiful, and a very non first albumy album - feels so well put-together and self-assured in terms of what they put in and the minimalism.
Love this, have returned to it at a regular clip since the songs first leaked. Nothing else scratches the itch the same
life affirming
So peaceful
feels like this classifies as coworker music but I enjoyed it
Unique and haunting.
Solid 4.0. Álbum extremamente agradável, produção coesa com melodias delicadas e tenras.
Schöne Musik, kannte einige Lieder schon
War anfangs genervt, aber fand den Sound mit jedem Lied besser.
Chill, pretty, light. Beautiful harmonies. Something I’d listen to in a forest in the wintertime. Rating: 8/10 Favorite song: Blue Ridge Mountains
Fleet Foxes (and FJM) definitely had a time and place in my life ... I don't know if now is still that time, but it was nice to revisit.
After reading the wiki article about this album I was reaaaallly ready to not like it but it surprisingly grew on me. The production style is absolutely something I detest - too much reverb on the vocals and an emphasis on everything sounding like it was recorded in a mid size empty room on shitty equipment. It does fit the style of course, just not one I really expected to like. What I enjoyed about this is that these aren't traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-etc patterend songs. There's some cool traditional songwriting in here and the instruments aren't so overpowering as to make it sound forced. The singer is absolutely front and center, but he did write every song so he has the right. The only song I thought was derivative was "Blue Ridge Mountains", which was disappointing because that sounded very much like it was made to be a commercial success whereas the other songs are just there for the love of the game, as it were. At least he avoided throwing in a banjo or something equally silly in there. And come to think of it, I don't think I heard a single clap in this album, which is excellent. Anyway this was a pleasant listen and absolutely not my type of music. The way they present themselves is ridiculous since they were all privileged rich kids with nice connections, but whatever, the final product is nice. This is by far the best indie album of this era that's in this project, and it's really not a genre I normally enjoy at all. A real example of a pick that I can appreciate and even like, despite nearly everything about it.
i cried while listening to this. i don't know why. i don't even find the lyrics compelling. but the music, has a certain mood, a certain feeling that broke me. that means something
It’s well produced, and I like the instrumentation.
4.2
What a weird time this was. A group of 20 year olds doing medieval peasant cosplay and making beautiful harmonies where every singer and every instrument has so much reverb that it sounds like they recorded it in someone's dream. It's very good. But why this aesthetic and why did I think this was important at the time.
This record has multiple all-time “indie” bangers on it, but i’m still rating it a 4 because i know there’s room for improvement with them. If this were Helplessness Blues i would be losing my mind right now. I still remember as a high school sophomore devouring the 4 songs that were available on their MySpace page before they were on Sub Pop.
A nice blend of alternative and folk. They're harmonies rival the Beach Boys.
Wandering minstrels on horseback, trotting through an ancient, towering forest, but in a good way. Refreshing and original songwriting that harkens back to another time, drenched in reverb and emphasizing unique structures and organic elements. Obviously quite labored over with beautiful production from Phil Ek- all acoustic guitars should sound this good. This is the kind of endeavor that people are referring to when they say you have your whole life to write your first album- shielded from scrutiny and driven by a singular vision, the project would never quite reach these out-of-time heights again.
What a lovely album. Can imagine chilling out on a warm summers eve, Glastonbury, West Holts Stage, Brothers Toffee Apple cider in hand. Nice that.
Great album! Great vocals and harmonies. On my list to see live...
Now this is some millenial music, but i love it
Pretty good!
I really like their sound!! For some reason their music makes make want to go to the mountains
Loved the folk/prog/alt/soft rock sound! Not really familiar with Fleet Foxes but it’s a great album to relax and chill out with. Excellent recording, even on earbuds it sounded great.
I am completely down with this. I want to go for a walk somewhere cold, folourn, and beautiful. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song was especially... something.
Terrific, highly influential indie-folk.
As a complete sucker for folky/acoustic stuff, vocal harmonies and melancholy, introspective lyrics, naturally I’m a big fan of this. Can certainly hear influences from the likes of the Beach Boys, the Zombies and CSNY. It’s also quite a nostalgic album for me as I heard it quite a bit as a teenager, but it still holds up well. The melodies in particular are fantastic. The opening four tracks (especially ‘Ragged Wood’) plus ‘Your Protector’ and ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ are my highlights, but I don’t think there are any weak tracks here. Great album cover too. Strong 4 stars.
The Folksong aspect of the album really helped cement this as a great album.
Nice record. Relaxing on a freezing morning
Beautiful
White Winter Hymnal is a all-timer for me. I slightly prefer their follow-up to this but plenty of haunting harmonies and great songs on this one made it a pleasure to revisit. They were one of the best of this era of folk/pop revival.
4/5 - Fleet Foxes at the Chicago Theatre was a transcendent sonic experience. I thought I was floating in air on the harmonies. I love this album.
por momentos es una puta obra de arte instrumentalmente y por otros es muy optimismo de los 2010s, me acuerdo de ser adolescente y cantar He Doesn’t Know Why en la guitarra a los gritos, le tengo cariño a este album 8/10
Fuck it. 4 stars.
I’ve a positive history with this album. We played it as the background music as we got married and it was the soundtrack to journeys in the early days of our relationship. I’ve also been lucky enough to see them live. So I know and love these songs. Folk beach boys arrangements meet massed harmonies, and each of the lyrics are like little short stories. I suppose what’s preventing it being 5 stars is the fact that outside of the best songs- white winter hymnal, blue ridge mountains it does sometimes overuse the formula. But I’m really splitting hairs
Some beautiful instrumentation and vocals. I do have a hard time listening all the way through without getting a little bored but it is still a great album.
Oh good, it’s the one with “White Winter Hymnal” on it. This song always surprises me when I hear it around Christmas - I mean I’m happy to hear it, since it’s a great song and a useful antidote to all the forced holiday wholesomeness, but I sometimes wonder if I’m the only one who’s ever paid any attention to the lyrics. The rest of it is indie rock/folk, kind of like a less-nerdy early Decemberists. I think we have this CD here somewhere, but I’m ok with just hearing “White Winter Hymnal” on the radio once or twice during the holidays and leaving it at that. It’s a good album of music like this for those occasions when you want to hear music like this (which I don’t very often). I think it deserves a 4 because of “White Winter Hymnal”; it’s competent and not annoying in any way.
Enjoyment: 10/10 Replayability: 8/10 Cohesion: 6/10 Flow/Pacing: 7/10 Artistic Merit: 7/10 Weighted Average: 8.15/10 Review: This felt like a lighthearted reimagining of the American folk genre filled with heavenly harmonics and airy melodies. The only ding is the songs are so similar that there's no obvious best choice, yet it doesn't become too repetitive. Liked Song(s): Sun It Rises, Ragged Wood, Quiet Houses, He Doesn't Know Why, Meadowlarks, Blue Ridge Mountains Disliked Song(s): (None) Recommend? Yes Heard Before? No
Did not know that Indie Folk existed. The use of actual instruments like flutes is really nice. I had to think of the Middle Ages and how a bard would perform these songs. Still they have a modern touch. Experimental but I like that.
De loin le meilleur album de folk que j'ai écouté, je met pas 5 étoiles car je trouves que certains morceaux au milieu de l'album sont un peu plus faible que les autres.
Harmonies are great. The “White Winter Hymnal” is a perfect winter song go to. “Ragged Wood” is one of my album faves. Not a head banger by any means, but can’t help but be impressed
I love this kind of folk rock too much man. Call me a stomp clap millennial the way I'm rocking with Fleet Foxes. Will have to go back for a second listen for sure. Gotta be a 4 star record for me.
Мне зашло
Como um cobertor
Is this going to be overly indie and endearing? Well, yes, but its not as bad as I thought it might be. Still not quite what I'm drawn to normally, but enjoyable enough to think this is worth its spot on the list. 3.5.
I had to put aside my biases against 21th century indie folk with their oohs and ahhs and their reverb and stomp clappy drums - because this album surprised me with some beautiful songs and moments. Faves: Sun It Rises, White Winter Hymnal, Your Protector, Blue Ridge Mountains
I LIKE ITT, typa things i can chill 2
Great album. 3.5
This album still keeps me a bit at arm's length with it's commitment to the schtick, but the melodies, vocals, harmonies and whole vibe is pretty special. Peckhold's voice is glorious.
Beautiful, very beautiful
Takes me back.
Really really excited for this one. Wanted to listen to more of the fleet foxes for a while now. High hopes. Sounds good for now. I mean wwh like what more could you really ask for in a song. Donkey man. This is pretty good. The bar for 2000s indie. This is a very good time to listen to this album. Favourite: Blue Ridge Mountians Least favourite: Meadowlarks
A strange mix of beach boys, imagined fiefdoms, and hipster outdoor iconography. It’s an iconic album if you were in your 20s in the 2010s. And it holds up.
Beautiful! Another one I missed back in the day even though it's definitely my vibe.
piacevole, coerente, setta un buon mood
Triumphant return of this millennial who has never spent any time with this classic millennial record! It doesn’t sound novel in 2026 and I wouldn’t say it’s timeless, either - it feels pretty of its time, especially thinking about everything that followed (Fleet Foxes clearly walked so Lord Huron could run, etc) - but still found this to be a lovely and delicate listen. Very Brian Wilson coded!
Fun album
Fun folk!
OMGGGG
hadn’t listened to much of their stuff outside the classics, good sound, nice vibe
It’s a great album. Smooth and feels like you’re hanging out in a wooded grove or a field somewhere. I had a great time with it.
Beautiful
85
Nice to listen to, but once again it's not something I'd be desperate to come back to. It might just be my bias for older albums showing
Liking this a lot better than the last time I tried listening to it. Definitely feels like Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago (An album that is missing from the list) filtered a little through 60's psychedelia. But whereas 60's psychedelia generally lets me down, Fleet Foxes does a great job with it. Production is great and warm, the weird instruments and bad experimental sounds are kept to a minimum (Or done tastefully). Just a damn good album.
OH MY GOD! obsessed. what it made me feel… like a slow dance that would heal you
Folk music does prog
You already know
Den evinnelige flerstemtheten kan gå en litt på nervene i lengden. Men fine låter.
Loved this album when it came out and I still do. Haven’t listened to it in years but I think it holds up well.
Ah the indie folk boom of the late 00's. Fleet Foxes was never one of my favorites, but they are definitely talented and inoffensive, and they deserved their popularity.
Best Track - "White Winter Hymnal"
Gorgeous, bright, weird but always familiar.
white winter hymnal, indie folk staple
The good kind of millennial indie-folk
Mellow, thoughtful, relaxing.
4/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/fleet-foxes/fleet-foxes/ I really like large parts of this album, but I also always forget that some parts (middle section mainly) are just a bit dull. 10/10 album cover, however.
Gently beautiful
Really loved this! This is singing! Very nice, chill vibe. Might become 5 stars after second listen
Its not my fault that I was born in 1996. Therefore, it is not my fault that I love this album. I feel like its very hard for me to give a review to this album, and I am only thankful to not have to review Helplessness Blues instead. Yeah, its fucking astonishing, innit? Cover to cover gorgeous vocals that are so pristine and so human. Lyrics that feel remarkably timeless and some melodies and harmonies that will live in my head until I die. In terms of originality, I honestly cannot name any other bands capable od producing this EXACT sound. It makes me feel like I am wandering, high as a kite, through a forest leading me into the divine. This shit slaps. Standout Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, Blue Ridge Mountains Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ihana albumi ja kivaa musaa :) Sopii puuhailuun ja aurinkoiseen päivään.
this one fell through the cracks while i was in school. familiar with a bunch of the songs. there is a world where i wouldve obsessed over fleet foxes over alt j. 4.5
Good album very peaceful music! 7.3/10
Number: 136 Date: 05/18/2026 Artist: Fleet Foxes Album: Fleet Foxes Year: 2008 Style: Chamber Folk Pop Familiarity: Extremely (5) Rating: 4 Before: ======= Lovely album. It will be a nice change from The Grateful Dead's Live / Dead that I had yesterday. During: ======= 4 Sun It Rises 5 White Winter Hymnal 5 Ragged Wood 3 Tiger Mountain Peasant Song 4 Quiet Houses 4 He Doesn't Know Why 3 Heard Them Stirring 4 Your Protector 2 Meadowlarks 3 Blue Ridge Mountains 4 Oliver James ----------------------------------------------------- 3.75 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= 4 my personal rating 4 suitability for this list 4 impact ----------------------------------------------- 4 composite rating
Me sentí tan bien escuchando este álbum, fue como una canción de cuna, una reconexión con la naturaleza. Me encantaría estar en medio de un bosque y escuchar esto.
Дебютний альбом фолк групи fleet foxes став для мене першим альбомом в жанрі чембер-фолку, і чесно, я не розчарований. Альбом можна описати англійським словом "uplifting". Можу провести паралелі з іншим альбомом (не фолк, а кантрі, але не суть) - "magnolia electric co": обидва альбоми мінімальні у своєму інструменталі, майже не використовують барабани, і тягнуть їх саме вокали. Потрібно, звичайно, переслухати якось "маґнолію", але, здається, причина по якій вона мені сподобалась набагато більше (аж на 10-очку) саме у вокалах, там, наскільки я пам'ятаю, немає на них стільки ехо, тай самі вокали сильніші. На "флотських лисицях" вокали не настільки сильні, тому оціночка 8. (Якесь сумбурне рев'ю, але похуй в принципі.) Оцінка: висока 7/низька 8
didn't knew them, but im definitely listen to them more. great instrumentals overall and I like the vibes
3.5 Bonus point for Peter Bruegel the Elder on the cover
Who Mumford and Sons wishes they were
Funky lil indie songs for me, thanks.
muy buenos temas
Great album!
Super good.
Calm and folksy with good harmonies.
Sun it rises - 4/5 White winter hymnal - 4/5 Ragged wood - 4/5 Tiger mountain peasant song - 3/5 Quiet houses - 3/5 He doesnt know why - 5/5 Heard them stirring - 4/5 Your protector - 4/5 Meadowlarks - 2/5 Blue ridge mountains - 4/5 Oliver James - 3/5
Indie rock is not always something I'm into. Despite being a great age and demographic for its meteoric rise and popularity, there's a lot of it that just feels pretentious and kind of "better than" your Average Joe. Fleet Foxes is a name I've heard for a while but I expected them to just be more of the same indie rock. Instead, I was greeted with really lovely-sounding, folk-inspired indie pop with a rich vocal chorus on like every track. This is something I'm into, there's definitely a vibe of standoffishness but there's a larger theme of playing simple music around a campfire or in a living room that translates well to the production of this album. I kind of zoned out in the middle of the album, but in my defense I got sucked into a really good crossword. Recommended (both this album and crosswords).
I loved this album when it came out - this and the EP that preceded it, Sun Giant, soundtracked that period for me and it’s a shame that nothing else they did came close to these records. It’s a very beautiful, harmonious, if slightly whimsical record that sounds pretty wonderful on this sunny spring morning.
What a lovely album. The Beach Boys-esque harmonies and the indie jangle are really engaging, with a remarkably calming feel to the whole album. I haven't listened in a while, a timely reminder of why I should enjoy it more often.
An album I remember from listening to not long after it came out, but I haven't heard it a while. Enjoyed this modern folk with its beautiful, timeless melodies. White Winter Hymnal is a gorgeous track. And with the Bruegel painting this is a beautiful album cover Bringing it up to 4 stars from 3.5 for those 2 things.
Way more songs than I expected to know
With its release date, this album is the inspiration and precursor to so many of my favorite new albums. Creative, imaginative, and sparse instrumentals paired with unique yet familiar vocals. Only issue is you have to be in the right mood to really get into it. Overall, great album.
It’s not wall-to-wall for me, but when they lean into that rich, almost choral sound, it’s right up my street. A slow starter that turns into a rewarding, immersive listen.
Very peaceful and quite catchy. Did not knoe what to expect but this indie folk rock or whatever is pretty good. White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood, and He Doesn't Know Why were some of of my favorites. Definitely enjoyed this album, 7.4/10.
Precioso álbum, sonido muy fresco y linda voz. 4
Some tracks I like better than others, but I have a soft spot for their first record.
7.5/10
4/5. One of the best indie debuts of the 2000’s for sure, though if I were to do a fleet foxes ranking it would still end up second to last (which is a testament to how good these guys are in my estimation. I consider Helplessness blues and crack-up to both be 5/5’s.) I think what really sells this album is the chamber-folk elements, it feels like it is being played to you in a very acoustic, echoey room which you can feel especially on more intimate tracks like “tiger mountain peasant song.” Another important factor is vocalist Robin Pecknold whose harmonies really bring the whole album together. As I said at the start of the review, great debut by one of the best to do it in modern indie-folk.
I hadn’t heard of Fleet Foxes before and was pleasantly surprised. It’s quite gentle and soothing. Although it’s Americana, some of the passages reminded me of later Beatles compositions
Sounds like 2008, I get why people would listen, wasn't quite for my current mood
Almost a 5. Much better than their 2nd album
Toute me gosse mais le résultat final est très bon. Peut-être que c'est de la nostalgie de quand j'étais jeune et beau.
Great listen, although I prefer "Hopelessness Blues".
Absolutely beautiful. The music evokes scenes of serenity that just relax you. Favorite track: White Winter Hymnal
Good folksy album with a few great bangers. I can listen to it a few times but don't think it's in the 5 range. Streets are saying the only good things millennials gave us is their music.
Me gustó pero medio zzz
Muy linda portada, algún tema rescato de acá seguro.
alapvetően nem annyira a stílusom az indiefolk mostanában, de a mykonost pölö nagyon szerettem régebben kifeküdtem a kertbe meghallgatni, sütött a fejemre a nap, a méhecskék zizegtek körülöttem, és a virágok is illatosak voltak így azthiszem szinte minden zene meghallgatható lenne, de ez helyenként még tökre kellemes is volt és beleillett a képbe szép harmonizálások, tetszett:)
It’s weird, because this came out while I was in high school, and if I had heard it then, this could easily have been one of my favorite albums ever. Yet, time goes on and instead I hear it now and it’s pretty good, but not special to me.
I think I listened to too much of this type of music and now I'm tired of it
sure
This truly surprised me. For such a simple indie rock album it was wonderful and well put together.
I made the mistake of reading some of the reviews, and a lot of disdain for this record seems to come from the era in which it existed. In a way, ya know? Fair play to them. I hate this new indie-rock revival happening right now, as I hated the pop enthusiasm of the early 2020s. But I digress, Fleet Foxes was able to build some of the most beautiful songs in their first two projects, with the indie folkish instrumentation combining with their amazing harmonies. This record in particular takes you to a different place, greatly transporting its moods to the listener, making you feel and engage with the sounds. This is peak by the band. P.S. Robin, if you ever read this, Fleet Foxes was great when it was the whole band, no matter how much you try to change the past and talk as if the band was always just you, please destroy your ego.
Lovely stuff
Beautiful arrangements and melodies.
Really easy listening album. Ragged Wood should have been the A track, such a nice flowing song but I understand why it’s not. It’s better than White Winter Hymnal. Album could be a game changer/ movie soundtrack.
Chill! Kan absolutt vokse mer på meg dette med noen flere gjennomhøringer. Broren min har mast om dette bandet en stund nå, så på tide å høre på det.
Likar dette! Har hatt eit par låtar på ei spelelister, men likte albumet i si heilheit òg.
Альбом не похож на время своего выхода очень похоже на 70е я бы даже сказал что не отличить
Pretty nice tunes. Low 4/5.
When Fleet Foxes came out, it felt genuinely refreshing. Not wholly original: the Simon and Garfunkel comparisons are fair, and you can hear CSN and My Morning Jacket in there too. But here's the thing: I'd rather listen to Fleet Foxes than CSN. The harmonies are lovely, the melodies hold up, and it's just a pleasant record to spend time with. Some of the critical resistance seems to come down to "too pretty" and "not original enough." Neither charge holds much weight for me. Very little is truly original, and this struck me as more distinctive than most of what was coming out at the time. (On the light side of a 4, but deserves more than a 3)
Folk music with pleasant melodies and harmonies. Favourite song: White Winter Hymnal
very up my alley and fun folk-ish songs with good instrumentals that i enjoyed
an album born from the often made fun of hipster indie 2000s. this era holds a special place in my heart, even though i totally get why it's divisive. this album is what i dreamed my life would be when i was in high school, full of optimism & finding my personal style. it's a reality that existed, but I only saw the tail end of.
I expected to really hate this and kinda want to still but it has enough beautiful melodies that I just can't.
On the whole I liked the album. I liked the variety of instruments used. I liked the harmonies. There were a couple of songs that the same phrase was repeated a little too often, but mostly I liked it.
Gonna probably check out more of their music.
Mandatory 4 because I went to Emerson College and they gave us Father John Misty.
An album I've listened to many times, so had to be intentional about being objective. I definitely enjoyed it for the arrangement and production, but the lyrics were overly sentimental at times and the overall vibe is a little full of itself. 3.5 rounded up because in spite of what I just said, I've listened to the album no less than 100x (albeit sleep music much of the time).
интересный опыт. чувствуется как ребята шарят в фолк музыке + люблю чеймбер поп из-за изысканности, струнных, духовых и т.д.
Love the baroquish poptunes, and the variety of songs within the album. Some of them pop, some are rather classic pastoral.
I bought this record when it came out. Still like it.
Really enjoyed this album. Yes, it is a little bit more boring and on the crunchy side. but his voice is so soothing and I did some really good deep work while listening to this album.
Album #115 Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes I was following the I was following the I was following the I was following the I was following the … Fleet Foxes self-titled album is potentially the greatest indie-folk release of the 2000s. Indie-folk as a genre can so easily veer off into cringe territory, the idea of a group of privileged trustfund kids picking up acoustic guitars and larping as if they lived pastoral lives is quite a nauseating thought; however, against all of the odds Fleet Foxes manage to come off as remarkably authentic and are talented enough to really immerse you in their fantasy. This album doesn’t have the same level of complexity to their lyrics or social commentary as they would later achieve on ‘Helplessness Blues’, however, I much prefer the production of this album, something about it makes it seem like each song is out of a fairytale. The only bad thing that I can really say about this album is that it did to indie music in the 2010s what Nietzsche did to Germany in the 1940s: created something complex that morons thought they understood and turned into something horrible. Is it a bit extreme to compare the ‘stomp-clap’ indie movement to the rise of fascism in Nazi Germany? Perhaps. However, for a time, there really was a swarm of Fleet Foxes clones trying to emulate their magic, even becoming more commercially successful than them, but never coming close to making anything near as good. Best Songs: He Doesn’t Know Why, White Winter Hymnal, Your Protecter Worst Song: Heard Them Stirring Score out of 10: 9
Having read Simon from Bella Union records account of Fleet Foxes. Their emergence fully formed is remarkable. I personally think this set the whole alt country genre into a new league and copied by many.
Unusual and very interesting. Great acoustic folk with influences ranging from Nashville to England to the Beach Boys. There's a very '60s feel to the whole thing, with a strong dash of Britpop thrown in. Great harmonies, simple but effective instrumentation, lyrics that somehow sound both traditional and unique. I dig it.
In the gentle light as the morning nears You don't say a single word of the last two years Where you were or when you reached the frontier Das ist alles so zeitlos schön, dass mich die Erwähnung des „connecting flight“ beinahe komplett rausgeworfen hat. Aber nur beinahe. Sanft, zart, fragil, die Harmonien perfekt auf die Stimme und die Instrumentierung abgestimmt. Ich denke man kann das auch zu süß, zu soft, zu wholesome finden. An einem anderen Tag hätte ich das vielleicht auch. Heute macht es mich glücklich.
*Solid modern mix of American/British folk
Fleet Foxes was a recently discovered pleasant surprise for me. My favorite song "Mykonos" is not on this album, but there are enough other good songs to make it strong: White Winter Hymnal, Tiger Mountain Peasant Song, Your Protector.
I think if this album had been served up in the Fall, I would have easy 5-starred it. There's something autumnal about the whole affair. As it os, in the Spring, it is still very good. Oh, and go Seattle!
nothing really caught me of guard but I understood every song and it’s emotional purpose
Some day my kid will ask me for some music from when Dad was a kid and from my perspective I couldn't do much worse than this. It's an immaculately produced album that perfectly captures that late 00s to early 10s folk sound that the kids stomped their feet and clapped their hands to. I imagine she'll look at me the same way I did at my Dad when I asked him the same question and wanted him to hand me Led Zeppelin or Aerosmith and instead received Dan Fogelberg and the Little River Band.
genero novedoso, que nunca habia escuchado, me sorprendio, es de un mood muy tranquilo el cual no tenia para escuchar y ahora me encanta.
Enjoyable late night music
Pretty cool indie/country/chill vibe but for a first listener (also not that invested in this genre) the songs sound very similar.
Beautiful and dreamlike through out. Loved it.
A- Sun It Rises 3 White Winter Hymnal 5 Ragged Wood 4 Tiger Mountain Peasant Song 3 Quiet Houses 5 He Doesn't Know Why 3 Heard Them Stirring 5 Your Protector 4 Meadowlarks 4 Blue Ridge Mountains 5 Oliver James 3 I love Fleet Foxes but haven’t totally taken the deep dive into their discography, so I was happy to see this one come up. I’ve tried to listen before because White Winter Hymnal is THAT good, but never really cared for it. But giving it the thorough 1001AlbumsGenerator run through, I found some great tracks and a newfound appreciation for the group. They are definitely more than a few great songs.
Beautiful harmonies and lyrics, so nostalgic. They were some of the best of the folk rock revival. Found songs I had never heard/forgot about including Meadowlarks and White Winter Hymnal. Album sounds like it was composed by medieval bards and performed in a clearing in the woods by a barbershop quartet. Easy and enjoyable listen, also good length.
This is so Seattle and stomp clap hey and coded but with a lot of reverb. 4/5
Test
Another alt album. Generally not a fan of alt. Low expectations. Sun it rises is interesting. Really well written. Alt rock as opposed to alt pop, I like tha much better. Guitar solo is really good. White winter hymnal is more poppy but I like this one too. Hozier/bastille vibes. Really catchy. Ragged woods is really cool too. I like how the songs are upbeat, usually alt is sad and grungy. Irony of this statement is that tiger mountain is definitely sadder. Back to fun music with quiet houses. Love the instrumental solo in the back half. He doesn’t know is really fun too. Great piano and drums. Love the opening harmonies on heard them stirring. Very soothing. I guess that was just the whole song. Interesting. Your protector is a banger. The vocals work really well with the background track. Well made song. Meadow larks was super emotional. Very well written. Emotional but not angsty and sad. Blue ridge mountains is back to fun. I like this one a lot. Don’t really know who/what Oliver James is about but I like it. It’s a good closer. This is one of the best alt albums I’ve heard so far. Just good calming music. 3.6 stars.
Like an old familiar friend
I quite enjoyed the harmonies and the voices. Lyrics perhaps not so outstanding
theres something about this i cant really put my finger on that gives so much more to it than just the music alone
A backwoods neo-Appalachian album with gorgeous, layered harmonies and a dusky nostalgia. "White Winter Hymnal" is an all time great but there are plenty of other gems like "Quiet Houses," "Your Protector" and "Blue Ridge Mountains." I love Robin Pecknold's voice and the way these songs are little snapshots of people and places from a different era. Kind of reminds me of another band, Midlake, and their earlier albums. Gorgeous, plaintive, and vivid folk rock at its finest.
Weird listening to this one on the Spring Equinox when it's such a quintessential autumn/winter record, but nice to hear again. Not crazy about every song, and I prefer their album Helplessness Blues overall, but this reaches some glorious heights on songs like White Winter Hymnal and Blue Ridge Mountains. Pecknold has a fantastic voice, and it's perfect for this variety of sorta woodsy nostalgic folk. At it's best, a very evocative record
Banger. De Istig is Album isch so magisch gsi.
Good album that I've listened to before. It's a good Starbucks music.
Ahh this reminds me of university, no additional notes
I think I liked this
Really nice. Kinda shocked I haven’t listened to them before now. Think I was put off by their name…
Always liked this one.
Almost like modern medieval folk music. Beautiful harmonies and arrangement. I wish there was a little more variety to it but overall fantastic.
A really good folk album some great songs that I could listen to again and again a few songs that arnt as good which stops me from giving 5 stars but still a good album
Yllättävän mieluisa rehellisesti. Lowk paras albumi tähän mennessä (led zeppelin III saa haistaa vitut). Tuntuu et oon jollain hullulla roadtripil frendien kaa, semmone nostalginen fiilis. Paras biisi: White Winter Hymnal Arvosana: 3,8
Het op 1 na beste Fleet Foxes album. Pracht van een album.
Het op 2 na beste Fleet Foxes album. Pracht van een album.
Great background music, mellow & chill with rock undertones.
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
I've been meaning to listen to this for years. I remember I was on a vinyl message board and someone mentioned being recommended this album but to avoid context, to just give it a listen. I may have peeked at the Wiki for the track list, play time, and genre, but otherwise I went in blind. It was immediately a beautiful listen. I'm not too eager with American folk, but this hits different. I was on my third listen when I realized the compositions were really dynamic, almost prog. It doesn't dwell on a pretty sound, it builds on them. The quality of the vocals and the lyrics just mesh so well with that musical aspect that it's hard for me to feel anything but appreciation for the effort. I was telling my coworkers that the album fits their renaissance-fair vibe without being too cheesy, without harps and fiddles, but with adequate emotion and style. I probably wouldn't listen to this too frequently, but I'd definitely give it an occasional spin when the mood calls for well composed modern-day-folk. I would've bought the record purely for its art, but now I'm aware the music is worth the purchase as well. I'm happy this turned up. 4.2/5
Charming combination of folk influences that occasionally crosses over to almost religious.
Beautiful album with a lot of feeling. The singers voice clicked for me really well.
ethereal vocal harmonies to calm you down on a stressful day. I really think this band is worth the hype, but just not 5 stars' worth
I was expecting some weird hipster crap but this was actually really beautiful
Like some songs I already knew.
It has a certain clear-eyed, majestic Sunday morning feel, what with the chiming harmonies and the echoey production on the lead vocals, as if he’s singing in a big room (maybe he was). Not to mention the earnestness of the lyrical themes, which convey a sense of awe at the splendor of the natural world. It occasionally skirts the edges of preciousness, but there is quality here.
A little twee for me but some lovely harmonies here.
Gut
Folk music is generally not my thing. That being said I’ve heard of ton of it because my friend loves it and we used to work together. Yes I would say is a better folk album that I have heard a while. I would recommend this.
Just such a great album. So concise in it's presentation and each song is so clearly from this project. My only gripe is it gets somewhat hard to differentiate some of the songs from one another.
I've listened to this album a hundred times before. It's chill and relaxing.
top top, est ce que les paysans medievaux auraient aimés??? oui
Wow, has it really been close to 20 years since this album came out? I remember, after having heard "White Winter Hymnal" (on the radio I guess, probably WXRT), and loving it, getting the CD from the library, and being somewhat disappointed in the album. I'm not sure why, exactly; possibly -- unfairly -- only because (after only listening once or twice) the other songs weren't as immediately great as WWH? And maybe a vague sense that the songs tended to sound kind of the same. I'm mean, no question, it's a great sound. But, I will say, listening to it again now (a couple of times), I liked the other 10 songs bit better than I remembered liking them/expected to like them. And, I think, I got more of a sense of variety, from song to song. So, maybe a little unfairly judged, the first time around. Anyway, now that I've listened to the whole album again (twice!), it's easier now to choose between a 3 and a 4, and give this album 4 stars, without hesitation. Curious to hear what you two have to say about it. One of the first albums we've listened to so far that's younger than you two.
Really ethereal and magical folk sound on this. I absolutely love the harmonies and vocal lines throughout are just so calming and mellow. While still having a lot of meaningful lyrics and beauty behind them, the songs overall just exude a sense of a forest-like atmosphere. Not every song was amazing but as a whole this album was great.
Fleet Foxes is a band I really like but I don't think they're very well known. This is not their best album in my opinion but it is very good. I think they're what I go for when I want some sad boy music but not in the style of like Radiohead or something. Sad chimes kind of music I guess.
It’s tempting to lump Fleet Foxes in the same box as The Lumineers of Mumford and Sons. Part of that “stomp clap” acoustic movement that took place in the 2010’s. But I think where Mumford tried to tap into an Obama era sense of millennial optimism, Fleet Foxes tapped into a sense of melancholy. It felt more real. Coupled with more interesting instrumentation and interesting vocals, I think more people should know about this band
It’s pretty good. A little slow for my taste but it’s good
just beautiful. i feel low today it’s raining outside and I’m just about to start therapy so I honestly feel like this was the perfect pick. soft and gentle but gorgeous vocally.
A little too stripped down at times, but still love FF
JUMPSCARED BY A BAND I ALREADY KNEW! yes of Course I like Fleet foxes. I've been listening to White Winter Hymnal and Blue Ridge Mountains on my own for like years. I also really liked Tiger Mountain Peasant Song and Meadowlarks--very solid album but I already knew that lol
Quite good album. Calming and folksy.
Commercial folk, who knew that could be a thing. I should hate this but never have, and was a nice blast from the past.
Easy listening again Like a lot the instrumental Gf said it was a little depressing at the end lol
I love that album; I hadn't listened to it in ages.
Glad to listen to this again, an old favourite