As a band favoured in Seattle’s folk music history, the painfully beautiful Fleet Foxes debut studio album marks the first triumph in a body of work like no other.
Even 15 years after its initial release, the 2008 self-titled album is considered a modern classic. Fleet Foxes find a sweet spot which establishes this album both airy and danceable, as well as often tense and dark. Its fluid structure creates a harmony amongst the tracks. The record is tied together with the anthemic closer, Oliver James, rich in acapella moments. For a debut studio album, self-titled is deeply vulnerable without deviating from confidence.
Frontman Robin Pecknold is the driving force for this meditative piece. Pecknold creates an unmissable rural feel here, with lyricism often possessing a transcendent quality. A clear baroque influence cuts into lyrics throughout. How Pecknold manages to build an atmosphere so distinct and vivid which resonates with people globally is a true skill. Lyrics dip in and out of personalism and a devotion to nature. This is melancholia at its finest. With Pecknold referencing the devil in multiple tracks, he frequently taps into a covertly religious theme both lyrically and vocally through harmonies reminiscent of church modes. Engaging in folklore-esque storytelling, the Fleet Foxes debut provokes a wistful nostalgia that appears frequently in Seattle’s folk music scene. A lyric from Ragged Wood “Tell me anything you want, any old lie will do” shows that for all the album’s haunting moments there is always something somberly romantic just around the corner.
As one of the many notable folk records released by Sub Pop, Fleet Foxes were in good company. The debut’s charming composition features a wide range of instruments and vocalists, with the likes of the mandolin and the maracas supporting its sonic progression. Their choral sound was just as striking for listeners on first release as it is now – the debut has aged elegantly.
The difficulty faced in focusing on any stand-alone track here is that each brings something new to the table. Ask people their favourite track and the answers will differ, all for independent and highly personal reasons. Fleet Foxes’ debut is ingrained in the hearts of everyone I love. It has a connecting quality, an uplifting and simultaneously tender feel. It is an aching and honest piece that wholeheartedly touches those who listen. This album was introduced to me by my dad, the person I love most in this world. Introduce this album to somebody you love – they will be grateful.
