"What good is it to sing helplessness blues?"

For no apparent reason last week, I decided to listen to Helplessness Blues, the recently released sophomore album by Fleet Foxes. I'd given it a couple listens when I first got the album a month ago, and I had more or less enjoyed it. I then purchased the vinyl when I heard the album played in a record store and found myself really enjoying it. But until last week, I really hadn't spent a lot of time with the album.

When I listed to the album again, it all felt so familiar, more than it should have with the limited time I had spent with it. Maybe it was the upturn in the weather that made the music resonate more with me. I don't know. It just clicked, and I've been listening to it heavily the past week. If you've never listened to Fleet Foxes, you are missing out. They play an Americana, folky type of indie rock -- I hesitate to call them rock; it just feels completely off. What really sets the band apart is Robin Pecknold's vocals and the soaring harmonies that accompany his melodies. Really amazing, beautiful music.

I've had a couple "moments" -- for lack of a better term -- with their music this past week. They've taken place while driving home from work, when I can just let the music wash over me and help me relax and put work behind me for a few hours. These moments occurred as I focused on the lyrics and really listened to what the songs were about. What resulted were powerful connections to the songs ("Helplessness Blues" and "Someone You'd Admire") that may not have drastically changed my worldview or brought about some miraculous transformation, but rather left me different, a little happier, a little more resolute to achieve what I need to achieve.

I highly recommend checking out this band and both of their albums. I've included links to these songs on Youtube.

Helplessness Blues

Someone You'd Admire