Helplessness Blues
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Helplessness Blues is an upcoming second studio album by Seattle based folk band Fleet Foxes. It will be released on May 3, 2011 as a follow-up to their eponymous 2008 Fleet Foxes album.[1]
Summary
The band's second album is in the works. Initially Pecknold had stated he would like it to be released in 2009. However, the band's touring schedule had caused them some setbacks. They got together to rehearse new songs in February 2009 in a rented house outside Seattle but the sessions were mostly scrapped. After their tour in support of the 2008 releases ended, the band's singer-songwriter mentioned the possibility of starting to record new songs, but J. Tillman is scheduled to play Europe and North America all along the 2009-10 winter as part of his solo project. Added to this Phil Ek, the band's producer and friend has answered in an interview that he is likely to continue as the producer as Robin has already sent him some demos to start listening. In an interview with Pitchfork, Pecknold stated that he expected the album to be released sometime in the second half of 2010.[2]
Robin has revealed that for their second album he will try to sound "less poppy, less upbeat and more groove-based". Taking inspiration from Roy Harper's psychedelic classic, Stormcock, or at least its 12-string guitar he said: "That will be the primary sonic distancing from the last record". Added to this, he stated they will try to record very quickly, saying he wants to do the "vocal takes in one go, so even if there are fuck-ups, I want them to be on there. I want there to be guitar mistakes. I want there to be not totally flawless vocals. I want to record it and have that kind of cohesive sound. Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, to me, is the best-sounding album because it sounds like there were only six hours in the universe for that album to be recorded in. So I want it to have that feeling."[3]
The band has been recording since April in different locations (including West Hurley, New York) after two years writing material and scrapped the earlier idea of a fast recording (although according to the band, the vocal takes as of yet have all been done in one take, perhaps in line with the original idea). According to their self-maintained Facebook page, the album will be released on May 3, 2011
Pecknold stated via Facebook that the new album is "Totally done and mastered and has been for a bit" and that "Announcements [are] coming soon."
In a press release from the band on 31 Jan 2011, it was revealed that former Blood Brothers and Past Lives multi-instrumenalist Morgan Henderson has been officially added to the Fleet Foxes lineup.
The album cover was illustrated by Seattle artist Toby Liebowitz and painted by artist Chris Alderson.[4]
The title track, "Helplessness Blues" was released via free download on January 31st, 2011.
The album's fourth track, "Battery Kinzie" premiered on Zane Lowe's show on March 22nd, 2011.
Track listing
- "Montezuma"
- "Bedouin Dress"
- "Sim Sala Bim"
- "Battery Kinzie"
- "The Plains/Bitter Dancer"
- "Helplessness Blues"
- "The Cascades"
- "Lorelai"
- "Someone You'd Admire"
- "The Shrine/An Argument"
- "Blue Spotted Tail"
- "Grown Ocean"
References
- ^ http://www.subpop.com/releases/fleet_foxes/full_lengths/helplessness_blues
- ^ Breihan, Tom (2009-12-03). "Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold Talks Next Album, Side Projects, Creative Struggle". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
- ^ Michaels, Sean (2009-12-07). "Fleet Foxes Recording 'Pretty Boring' Second Album". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ http://www.subpop.com/channel/blog/fleet_foxes_announce_second_album_helplessness_blues_pre_order_now