Grammy's Album Of The Year Review: "Father Of The Bride" - Vampire Weekend

With the Grammy nominations out, its time for my "album of the year" reviews.  I score each track on whether it stands out, is merely okay, or is a miss. The final score will be out of a high of 100.

(All Rights to Spring Snow/Columbia Records)

1) "Hold You Now" (ft/ Danielle Haim)

This track deals with instability in love; "Promises of future glory don't make a case for me", "Turning this June morning into some dark judgement night (Haim)". The chorus is based off of a Melanesian choral song.

2) "Harmony Hall"

Starting off with an energetic guitar intro, "harmony hall" is about change & power; "Within the halls of power lies a nervous heart that beats like a young pretender's".

3) "Bambina"

This track is interesting, but lyrically scattered.

4) "This Life"

There's a ska-like feel in "this life". This track deals with a rocky relationship; "I know dreams tend to crumble at extremes. I just thought our dream would last a little bit longer".

5) "Big Blue"

There isn't much to this track.

6) "How Long?"

There's some really interesting imagery; "You broke my heart at midnight mass, now I'm the ghost of Christmas past".

7) "Unbearably White"

We hear a funk groove. This track deals with a fading relationship, with mentions of it being 'unbearably buff....unbearably cold...unbearably white'.

8) "Rich Man"

There's a jaunty feel, but the track itself seems a bit jumbled.

9) "Married In A Gold Rush" (ft/ Danielle Haim)

This track deals with a fresh marriage that's starting to wither; "We got married in a gold rush, and the rush has never felt the same", "wedding bells were ringing out our fate".

10) "My Mistake"

"My Mistake" is a ballad, with a sort of old-school/retro feel. Ezra Koenig shows his regrets on the current state of affairs; "hoping for kindness, was my greatest mistake".

11) "Sympathy"

This starts off with a quick flamenco style. "Sympathy" is centrally about Judaism, Christianity & Islam.

12) "Sunflower" (ft/ Steve Lacy)

"Sunflower" really flows with a Red Hot Chili Peppers kind of feel.

13) "Flower Man" (ft/ Steve Lacy)

There's an Imogen Heap style to "Flower Man". We see some interesting contrasts mentioned; "Coca-Cola & red wine".

14) "2021"

Ezra is pondering the future, wondering if he'll be remembered; "copper goes green, steel beams go rust".

15) "We Belong Together" (ft/ Danielle Haim)

More of a basic love song, "We Belong Together" is a little bit basic.

16) "Stranger"

In this track, Ezra has finally found the one; "I used to look for an answer, I used to knock on every door, but you got the wave on, music playing". 

17) "Spring Snow"

This track is brought down by some awkward backing vocals.

18) "Jerusalem, New York, Berlin"

The title is about religion/money/culture. The song also reflects on Israel-Palestine relations.

"Father Of The Bride" is rich in imagery. It shines lyrically. The vocals between Ezra and Danielle Haim mesh perfectly.   (80.5)

"Cuz I Love You" (Deluxe) - Lizzo (96.5)

"I Used To Know Her" - H.E.R (84.2)

"Father Of The Bride" - Vampire Weekend (80.5)

"Norman Fucking Rockwell" - Lana Del Rey (64.3)