Tuesday, November 23, 2010

31 Days of Music -- Day 09

An artist you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving: Vampire Weekend

I think it was their name that put me off.  I refused for a long time to voluntarily listen to a band that had the word "vampire" as part of their name, imagining Goth makeup, dyed black hair and over-produced emo pop.  Wow, was I wrong.  I still think it's a stupid name but I wouldn't have imagined such talented musicians and thoughtful songwriers were hiding behind that lame moniker.

Their self titled debut album is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites.  It's one of those where each song is better than the last and once I start it, I have to listen all the way through.  

However, I selected the below from their second album, "Contra" because I love the riff and the energy and also the video is cute.  Also with this release, I was finally certain I had been wrong about these guys.  





What bands have pleasantly surprised you?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

it sounds like you are ever SO ready to hate on musicians for things NOT relative to their sound; like White Stripes and their gimmicky colors, and V.W. for their name. I'm glad you give them a chance to prove themselves despite your reservations. I can only imagine what your initial take on The Butthole Surfers was. Or Four Non-Blondes. :)
I'm going to listen to Contra right now! Your posts have led me to youtube more times in two weeks than I have been in two years.

Janie said...

Lady Gaga…

She is so talented .. and I have to admit it all started with Alexander Skarsgard in her video… (speaking of Vampires)

Unknown said...

Oh, and to actually participate in your blog question: I love The Strokes! So not the type of band or genre I'm drawn to in general, but every time I hear them, I love them!

Healy said...

Ha, I thought the same thing when I heard their name so I never bothered to hear them until now. Thanks for the tip. I like the song in the video, the energy sort of reminds me of the Fratellis. I'll have to check them out.

Matt said...

Ani Difranco. When you first put it on, I could not stand it. Then along came Little Plastic Castles. To date, IMO, her most palatable album. But I think that it was your insistence in playing her music while I was around that made her music grow on me. It finally got stuck in my head. Now I love everything that she does.

Thank you!!!