After the pure phenomenon of Fleet Foxes self-titled debut in 2008, its follow up was always going to be one of the most anticipated new records of the year, even before Robin Pecknold decided to scrap the album's original sessions and start again from scratch, effectively pushing back the release date back into 2011 and upping the expectation even more. It's a shame for the Seattle band though as this is lovingly crafted, often spellbinding vocal folk album somehow still seems overshadowed by one that came before.
If it's possible, 'Helplessness Blues' is even more 70s retro than Fleet Foxes' previous work, the solid beat of 'Battery Kinzie', in particular, echoing the sound of another time and place. Elsewhere 'The Argument' employs a familiar English folk air before the arrival of freeform trumpets and wretched strings see the band at their most experimental.
Taking their lead from traditional tunes, the Foxes have quite the ear for a memorable melody, and it's not long before the urge to sing along becomes stifling. The title track's opening line seems more than a little trite, and yet once it bursts into its seamless two part harmony, such thoughts are left far behind. True, their stunning vocal harmonies are still Fleet Foxes' calling card, and yet strangely, one of the finest tracks on 'Helplessness Blues' is entirely instrumental. A truly gorgeous piece of music, 'The Cascades' builds layer upon layer of softly plucked acoustic guitar, filled out with gentle flourishes, rattling percussion and hazy reverb. Similarly 'The Plains' creates an almost spookily ethereal atmosphere with overlapping aahs and understated horns before segueing into 'Bitter Dancer'.
Simplicity suits Fleet Foxes much more on this record than ever before, it seems, as proven by the modest simplicity of 'Blue Spotted Tail', a quietly beautiful solo endeavour from Pecknold. 'The Shrine' too is immediately engrossing with Pecknold reaching his own vocal peak, his creaks and cracks more potent than his usually smooth voice has ever been.
Nothing here will knock your socks off quite like 'White Winter Hymnal' or 'Mykonos', but the Foxes have still got something magic that sets them completely apart from the myriad of contemporary folk groups currently doing the rounds.
