There seems to be a folk renaissance happening these days. With bands like My Morning Jacket and She & Him strumming their way into our hearts and minds this year, they’ve opened the door for more harmonious and hymn heavy groups like Fleet Foxes to waft into our ears like a warm Southern breeze.

Despite having songs that are reminiscent of the Sacred Harp singing tradition that once flourished in churches of the southern states, you many be surprised to read that Fleet Foxes hail from the dreary northwest. When asked about why a bunch of Seattle city boys decided to take a less likely musical route, vocalist/songwriter Robin Pecknold said this:

“We were all living in fairly bad environments during the recording of these things and that may have found its way into the songs, a feeling of wanting to be somewhere else.”

I think this also applies to the listeners, each song on this LP takes you on your own fantastical journey. For me, I imagine being a pioneer of old, humming church hymns while taking a trip by covered wagon across the southern plains, rivers, and mountains. I eventually die of dysentery after eating all my provisions while hunting bear in the Smokey Mountains..oh wait, that’s The Oregon Trail.

4.5/5 - Bonus half point for using an album cover as good as Worlds Apart.

 

 Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood: Play Now