Word: contraã
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These imperfections only serve to reinforce what is clear even in the album’s better moments: Vampire Weekend are not a “great” band. “Contra?? is overall a decent album, and finds just the right balance of advancing and holding ground to prevent a sophomore slump. This pragmatism and the group’s talents have seen them achieve considerable success. Just don’t expect them to ascend to anything more remarkable...
...Contra?? is in many ways very similar to the band’s self-titled debut. The opener, “Horchata,” quickly proves that the band is quite content to continue in the same style that first brought them success. The lyrics appropriately hint at the need to accept one’s limitations, Koenig singing, “Oh you had it but oh no you lost it / Looking back you shouldn’t have fought it.” The song steadily builds momentum, incorporating woodwind and strings that subtly bring...
...Contra?? is not, however, a carbon copy of its predecessor. “Taxi Cab” is the group’s first real ballad, a beautiful baroque affair featuring endearingly uncertain romantic lyrics: “You stood so close to me / Like the future was supposed to be.” “Giving Up The Gun” is the biggest step forward for the band’s songwriting skills and possibly the best song on the LP. It is also one of the darkest and most direct songs the group...
...political sidestep, and it sits very awkwardly with the song and the album as a whole. On “California English” the group for some reason chooses to auto-tune Koenig’s voice, with terrible results. Closer “I Think Ur A Contra?? is easily the least interesting song on the album. The mournful strings that enter halfway through strike completely the wrong tone, and, like “Holiday,” the song rather awkwardly references political events—the Nicaraguan resistance that gives the album its title?...
Newman isn’t kidding when he says that contra types are “super-friendly.” The timid Harvardians are immediately whisked onto the dance floor by various Chucks, Bobs and Steves. “Never contra??d before? Not a problem, just follow me!” Lines of eager partners spin to the beat, following the caller’s directions with varying levels of accuracy and energy. “Do-si-do! Left A-la-mains! Spin ’er round! Come to!” The spirit...
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