Only ten days after the release of
Contra, Vampire Weekend's second album, the ten song compilation is at the top of the charts. Not just the Billboard Top 200, but the rock, digital, independent, alternative and Canadian albums as well. As one of
Alternative Press Magazine's web exclusive (also) Most Anticipated Albums of 2010,
Contra earned itself four stars and a very nice review from
Rolling Stone.
"I think people will have a bigger picture of us as musicians and know that there are so many possibilities with what we can do with our sound," said bassist Chris Baio to AP Magazine.
He was right. With fast guitars, clever words, and hints of reggage, the quartet hailing from New York put together a great album. Beginning with a fast tempo and soft drumming, "Horchata" will start your feet tapping. The fun doesn't stop as the synth beats and reggae swing carries through the rest of the album. "Holiday" brings in a little more of the guitar and vocalist Ezra Koenig's ordinarily smooth voice turns electric in "California English." The tempo slows down a little in bittersweet realization ("Taxi Cab") and sad reminiscence ("I Think UR a Contra").
Contra isn't just made up of meaningless words and an electric keyboard. In the words of Rolling Stone's Will Dana, "There's soul, too."
