Grizzly Bear

Veckatimest

May 26, 9009

At this level of fame and indie-cred, it’s way too easy for an album from a big name like Grizzly Bear to fail after months of hype. Luckily, they defied the odds.

Their May release Veckatimest stands as a better-than-decent follow up to the 2007 Friend EP and their last full-length Yellow House (2006). With the live version of “While You Wait for the Others” pretty much lingering on Internet message boards for months before the release, Grizzly Bear prepared and delivered on 12 lackadaisical tracks, with an altogether pleasing lack of weight and gravity.

The airy remainder is part of a contrasting break from the two tracks that begin the record: “Southern Point” – a rolling and thunderous song – and “Two Weeks,” which is the best attempt they have at bridging the two personalities of Veckatimest (despite the fact that the opening piano line sounds too much like “Satellite” by Kiss Kiss.).

No surprises if Veckatimest makes the top five albums of 2009.

By Melissa Traynor