Fleet Foxes Plays Tonight at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
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Fleet Foxes’ latest release, Helplessness Blues, moves away from the Americana influences of the band’s self-titled 2008 debut and branches out more toward ‘60s British psych folk, with elaborate transitions. There’s also a warmth and exuberance in songwriter Robin Pecknold’s vocals and the outstanding group harmonies, sort of channeling Simon and Garfunkel, or maybe even Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, an influence the band has made reference to before. There are darker themes in the songs, but it’s as if Pecknold is steering away from being too mired in escapism and takes a more optimistic route instead.
There were stories of stressful times for Fleet Foxes, due to creative differences, exhaustion, and troubled relationships, but the attitude on Helplessness Blues is more about rising above the negativity or ridiculousness. They remain as refreshingly unpretentious and direct as ever before.
Fleet Foxes performs tonight at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River. Opening the show is Seattle trio The Cave Singers. And there’ll be a great afterparty featuring Austin band The Eastern Sea in Stubb’s indoor venue following the show. Check it all out. Recommended.
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