Yellow House

As a favourite Americana folk-rock band of mine at the moment I reckon this second effort is one of their best. Mainly acoustic and sounding a little threadbare at times it manages to engage and at times soars. I was surprised the band were from NY rather than say rural Texas like Midlake or other purveyors of mysterious amplified folky music At first listen only On a Neck, On a Spit and maybe Colorado and Lullaby will grab your attention, but on subsequent plays all the tracks can be appreciated (funny how Grizzly Bear tend to leave the gems toward the end on their albums) . Fine vocals, atmospheric music.

Firstly, I'm shocked that Mr Solinas hasn't given this 5 stars. He's usually a pretty good judge of great music. I shall take up this matter directly!In my opinion this is one of the most underrated albums of the new century. Trust me, this will only become better known as the years pass.So what's it like? To me, it's like a band who treat their instruments and voices like an orchestra. Everything is meticulously constructed. They don't just play along with the song like so many bands, each harmony and instrument has a purpose, adding thoughtfully to their soundworld. And that's what makes it work. Whilst it's accepted that Knife and On A Neck On A Spit are strong highlights (the most accessible), the album is fully inspired throughout, and that's a rare thing. Strongly recommended to a baroque pop/rock listener.Looking for a reference point? Somewhere between Fleet Foxes and Animal Collective. (If you don't know who those bands are, you're really not keeping up!)

This is a sublime record that grows on you like a tumour. As previous reviewers have said it occupies a space where spectral sounds and earthy elements collide. Yes you can trace back through Yo La Tengo and Galaxie 500 to get to the root of Grizzly Bear but this record is great in its own right. The latest record somehow tarnishes this one by virtue of its naked commercial sound - this record is a different beast all together. Its a record of half heard sounds and deja vu. I swear the first song actually doesnt ever end, it merely mutates across the rest of the record. And at the price currently on amazon its a steal. You may take a couple of listens to get into this incarnation of Grizzly Bear but if you persevere you will be rewarded in spades. This is a truly beautiful and mysterious record. A spiders web of sound. You should buy it. No doubt that this record has 5 stars running through it like a stick of rock. Essential.

Perhaps the moment was right, the first time I played Reprise. A very good friend's YouTube video recommendation in an e-mail. Not knowing anything about the band, the moment I played the song I knew it was uniqe. That song on its own felt like waves and wavelets rhythmically washing over a shore of pebbles.The album, and the music on it, lives in its own time. A rare quality--the ability to naturally weave around the moment, allowing its own world materialise so intensely that each listening stops time.A rare, unique album. Gentle, raw, beautifully structured and haunting.5/5

Grizzly Bear takes you. On a musical journey and the landscape varies from song to som

Very good album. Enjoyable.

Good

I cannot find the words to describe this album (plus other reviewers have already done a pretty good job!)just listen to it, many, many times.