Vampire Weekend

From the advance hype, you'd think Vampire Weekend were the first to consummate Anglo indie rock's infatuation with Afro-pop. But don't let the vague Africana of "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" or self-aware skank of "A-Punk" distract; the studious appropriations are more akin to Paul Simon's: merely terrific pop songs wearing funny hats. Even then, the lion's share of these tunes -- including "Campus" and "Oxford Comma" -- cite less exotic influences, like Spoon and the Strokes. But from whom they borrow hardly matters -- they do it wisely, resulting in an instantly familiar, hugely promising debut.

If you listen to much indie rock, Vampire Weekend are probably old news. Thanks to good
press and a bunch of songs available online — an early version of this album surfaced in
September — the New York quartet became one of 2007's most buzzed-about new bands.
They're four ex-Columbia University students with a suave sound that incorporates ska,
New Wave and Afro-pop — interesting enough for listeners looking for variation... More >