Are Vampire Weekend...Good?

🎫 Tickets for my Justin Hawkins Rides Again show in Hayes, London tinyurl.com/kneukve2
Vampire Weekend have released a new singled called Capricorn!
My JHRA Tour Dates:
18th March - Norwich LCR UEA [SOLD OUT]
19th March - Bristol St George's [SOLD OUT]
20th March - Sheffield Memorial Hall [SOLD OUT]
21st March - Glasgow The Glee Club [SOLD OUT]
22nd March - Gateshead The Glasshouse Sage 2 [SOLD OUT]
24th March - London Bloomsbury Theatre [SOLD OUT]
25th March - London The Beck Theatre
26th March - Cardiff The Glee Club [SOLD OUT]
27th March - Birmingham The Glee Club [SOLD OUT]
29th March - Salford The Lowry [SOLD OUT]
30th March - Liverpool St George's Hall [SOLD OUT - apart from accessibility tickets]
31st March - Leeds City Varieties Music Hall [SOLD OUT]
Join my special Mailing List here to get emails from me about stuff you might like: beacons.ai/justinhawkins
Get a Justin Hawkins Rides Again T-Shirt & Hoodie here: thejawsofvictory.com/
I do monthly Zoom Call Nights over on my Patreon, they're A LOT of fun: / jushawk
Justin Hawkins Rides Again...The Podcast. You can listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify etc: open.spotify.com/show/0hQYjIw...
#vampireweekend #review #reaction

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

Lads, we need to make the Hayes, London show the party show. Anyone going, we're in it together! It's your only chance to see this live as everything else sold out months ago, you can get tickets here if you dare: tinyurl.com/kneukve2

[@anthonymizzi1490]

Won't be making it to Hayes, but I'm definitely eagerly waiting on the MALTA gig, been a fan for the last 21 years. :)

[@sah-win]

This will wind up being the best of the bunch and afterwards everyone will be claiming that “they were there”.

[@sidallen3822]

we need a party bus to the station after so people know they can get home (or just recruit more eejits like me willing to risk it, either/or haha)

[@CoryFarris]

Please come to Austin, Texas!

[@carlavonsander423]

Not enough time to organise a passport ❤

[@vanillatwilight5291]

Their first trilogy is still one of my favorite three-album run. You can clearly see their growth and willingness to make new sounds, without abandoning what's make them special...

[@mygic183]

Vampire Weekend, some of the best songwriting out there, hands-down, brilliant arrangements, it’s a crime how underrated they are in this ignorant world, IMo

[@HappyAppart]

Well, no, right ? Just no.

[@lukebrown5855]

Not very underrated

[@classicbambi]

“in this ignorant world” lmao

[@bobbysworldofficial]

they are in the sense that if you're in a music scene it is not cool at all to like them and pretty rare to find people who do... which is bizarre because they are (or at least WERE prior to FOTB) easily one of the few truly GREAT bands of our day@@lukebrown5855

[@brendanwalker427]

Honestly, for a band as talented and cognitive as they are, I think they're at a perfect level or popularity, and I think it suits them as a band too.

[@Mitchell_E_Underscore]

"Fuck knows what that was played on" is an elite Hawkins quote

[@EdmundBurgundy]

“My guitar’s out of tune… who cares? Not me, otherwise I’d tune it, wouldn’t I” is the funniest thing I’ve heard in months

[@stephgreen3070]

I really love Vampire Weekend. Clever lyrics, catchy chord progression and interesting arrangements. They’re a breath of fresh air.

[@rodtaylor5476]

Vampire Weekend is amazing. 4 albums and they're all great. They're fantastic in concert too.

[@laloisdone.]

now they’ve released their fifth album and it might just be their best!

[@songsforchange]

Love this! The melody is a refreshing change and throwback to the 1950s or 1960s when I was a teenager or young twenties. I'm 84 in May. Love your breakdown of the chords and sound effects Justin.Theyv add another dimension to this cool track 😊❤

[@vnkman4391]

nice! keep rocking.

[@botchick]

This is really affecting for a former New Yorker. The video clips span from the "Bronx is Burning" NYC to later in the '90s, but they're all scenes that drew creative folks to New York in the days when the average American would think moving there was flat-out insane. The original Coney Island, handball courts, the WTC (always tough to see), the Playland sign (!), straphangers, graffiti and grit. I'm not in Vampire Weekend's target market ("indie rock" bands play arenas now?), but sonically this is a total homage to underground rock of the late '80s/early '90s. Dinosaur Jr, but also Daydream Nation-era Sonic Youth and Polvo and Slint and a bunch of other post-hardcore bands. The opening images where (I presume) singer Ezra Koenig floats sideways into a subway car is the hint to where this goes. That's a "redbird" train -- the longest-running NYC subway trains that were exclusively used on the especially-narrow 6 line. They were finally taken out of commission in the late-'90s. Rather than going to scrap, they were taken south to warmer parts of the ocean and submerged to allow for the creation of new reefs. Very subtle metaphor, but so great to see one of those cars. Those bumpy, rackety trains were straight out of The Warriors.

[@t0mes]

You need to get on their 3rd album Modern Vampires of the City. Fantastic NY album

[@JBreedloaf]

They are videos from Steven Siegel when he was young. He and his friends apparently found the “subway car graveyard” in New Jersey and thought it would be cool to climb around in the overturned cars. The videos were made either before Ezra was born or when he was a kid. He talked about it on a track by track breakdown for a British radio station.

[@CarbonSolutions]

Excited to see new music from them. Their third album, Modern Vampires of the City, is a goddam masterpiece.

[@Neil3D]

This is weird, I just listened to Oxford Comma yesterday for the first time in 10yrs or so!

[@bawsack69]

That's why it appeared on your recommendations

[@jayferry7587]

I love Vampire Weekend! And of the greatest Indie bands out there.

[@soldierjojo]

Thank you so much for covering this one 🎉🎉🎉

[@RosieHarp]

Very theatrical today ' daaaahling ' wonderful 🥳⭐️ I'm a Capricorn .... I feel obliged to like it

[@markhurst4155]

Really like that, not listened to them for ages. Thanks! Now got an earworm of Terry Jacks Seasons in the Sun a song that always makes me feel really uneasy for some reason ...

[@trufflehuffer]

Oooh! Starts a little like Cat Stevens before morphing into shades of Art Garfunkel, and ultimately disrupting into their own distinctive style. Love! ❤

[@bex82uk]

For the first time in a while i already have this one on my playlist ahead of watching your video (unlike most of my playlist😅 )🙌

[@hayesblackman94]

Wow, feels amazing to be so loved

[@euphegenia]

I like their new song called “Classical” the best out of the new songs they’ve released from the new album

[@juliarenaultartist5247]

I agree there is something vocally in common with Terry Jacks, and the melancholic but happy vibe too. Today, we learnt Justin played the bassoon!

[@cm-jz8qr]

That was the best performance of the theme song

[@TheJipino]

Chord sequence sounds a bit like Cat Stevens's 'How Can I Tell You.' Especially with the descending line

[@EdibleJackson]

Gosh these breakdowns are informative and hilarious ❤

[@yasminkeyani7948]

Thank you Justin for your take on the new VW song, I love it! 🥰And for introducing me to the beautiful word 'ostinato', which I shall casually say to my guitar playing son next time he's home from Uni! I now know that's what he plays 😂

[@robbeason]

I'm here for the Dinosaur Jr reference.

[@butchcoolidge4480]

Thank You JH for FINALLY covering Vampire Weekend! They’re a brilliant songwriters and crush it live. Going to the show in NashVegas this October!

[@mclarensaleenf7]

Ezra writes basically every song they’ve ever made. He’s the main guy and he originally worked with producer Rostam up to the third album. Rostam then got Ariel Reichstadt to help finish that third album (which is an absolute classic). This new album is all written by Ezra and co-produced with Ariel and friends. Ezra is a genius songwriter!

[@scottjohnson8801]

You are very entertaining Thank you ❤

[@SmittenKitten.]

Did it sort of sound like Simon & Garfunkel? Or Belle & Sebastian? Some sort of ampersand group...

[@stephgreen3070]

That slightly out of tune, twangy piano definitely had a Belle and Sebastian vibe! The vocals are very reminiscent of early Paul Simon.

[@angusnewton67]

I’m a working musicien and when I get home from a gig - generally pretty drunk - man I love your videos!

[@DeeTeaDee]

Best album Ive heard in a LONG time just WOW

[@mirapiccolo6601]

Very beautiful..it reminds me a lot Smokie " have you ever seen the rain? great videoJustin

[@lindawalker1924]

Yeah, *that’s* it!

[@jackcross8616]

Vampire Weekend pushes the line of making stuff that is too noisy (like the 2nd and 3rd chorus) of this song and somehow they are perfectly aware where the line is at all times. They do not miss.

[@Rocksarum]

05:53 😂😂😂😂 06:08 , 07:08 ...OK, the last 2 minutes before the video ends are just... 🤣🤣🤣 Nice one!👍👍👍👍👍❤

[@juliafox7904]

I like it, I like the distortion- never heard of these guys so will investigate on Spotify. Thanks Justin.

[@DonnaGisellaTranchel]

Spotify Rules! 💙🦩✨🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@daishoryujin95]

This is one of my favorite bands, I’ve been listening for a while.

[@butchcoolidge4480]

You won’t regret it - they’re amazing- their first album is perfect; a no skip album

[@chuckmoore7597]

Modern Vampires of the City is also perfection.

[@drumwitch4585]

Oh I love it ❤

[@TracyCorbin]

Interesting. I haven't heard them before. Loved your sound effects, lol.

[@nickharrison1604]

You might have heard their song A-Punk, it was everywhere about 15 years ago

[@TracyCorbin]

@@nickharrison1604 I liked that one, kinda fun, thanks!!!

[@zeldalove]

Reminds me of Novocaine For The Soul by the Eels

[@pattimiller6229]

You nailed it based on all the comment suggestions…familiarity..about sums it up! Love to you for the laughs as always

[@JedidiahMaya]

The bassoon! We would like to hear this Again.

[@FranktheBlindArtist]

Good to see a song getting you excited

[@shellylavigne5913]

It is I… kills me every time

[@JuiceGuy07]

For those of us who can't get to the UK for the tour, will there be video of the shows on the channel? Super interested to see how the shows play out.

[@johnmcnulty1129]

Touch of Bombay Bicycle Club in there, sound checking in "Club Distortion", downtown Transylvania.

[@cindyadzukichang]

Ostinato! The music video is really cool too.

[@joerobinson8124]

Sounded Wilco-esque circa "A Ghost is Born" with just a bit of Ian Anderson melody lifted from Skating Away on the Thin Ice of A New Day.

[@billyshane3804]

Saw these guys with the "Wee Wee on MaMa band" in Croydon when they were first starting out. Great gig!!

[@williamr3840]

"Croydon, city of the future!" :0/

[@pureamoursoul]

This is pretty dope. It kinda sounds like a cross between MGMT/Kid Cudi (Pursuit of Happiness), Eels (Novocaine for the Soul), Pixies, and Simon & Garfunkel. Will be adding this to one of my playlists.

[@shanefield7339]

The only band (that I know) that makes a better album than the last with every release. Great analysis, I've heard these songs several times but you dove deeper than I ever dared to :). Vampire Weekend is definitely in my top 3 bands of all time, and constantly battling for the #1 spot, and often winning the battle.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Awesome video

[@Pete_Gribs]

Hi Justin .. my mainest, main man! Another superb synopsis, and a good review too. Har har! Nufluv mate, Pete 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@davidevans6946]

This song, that you reviewed does reference a much older song, ‘Seasons in the Sun’ by Terry Jacks (1974) 10 years before Ezra Koenig was born. Ezra’s voice is even similar to Terry’s. From his bio, it did read that his father had quite an interest in music so maybe some of ‘Seasons in the Sun’ is used in this way as chord structure in this new song by Vampire Weekend.

[@NinStardust]

5:35 Brilliant impersonation of 90’s internet dial-up tone there, Jus! 😂😂😂

[@ZuzuTheLemon]

That's what the interwebs really sounds like!

[@ragman1960]

535,000🎉🎉🎉….again more subscribers ❤

[@lesliehutchins8365]

Your little acoustic meandering sounded beautiful Justin! Could you turn that into something for me darling?😻👍💕

[@jakehixon4073]

Thank you for reviewing my 2nd favourite band.

[@Flukey_1970]

One for the question of the week. (Or however often you do them haha) What is the back story of how you got into learning the guitar? If you had lessons or self taught etc? Of course you could go over this in your up and coming tour (that i have tickets for at the Glass house in Gateshead).

[@garethcolhoun4603]

My love for you, young master Hawkins, has been burgeoning apace for these few weeks since I subscribed. Now that you name checked the most excellent Dinosaur Jr, I feel it has bern consummated. Well played sir, and i bid you good day.

[@thaliraQ]

As I don't live in London, I was obliged to Wiki Hayes. It has an Interesting history. Thanks, I wouldn't know about it otherwise. 😊

[@iPaulie3000]

Would love to hear what you think of the new St Vincent song... I get the feeling you might dig it.

[@nscafe77]

Someone needs to make a short of just Justin mimicking the odd noises from this song. Hilarious

[@Mendo_xd]

3:48 i wish you had kept playing. It was so good

[@cbaillie44]

Hi Justin Hawkins!

[@GIBKEL]

Cool to hear that Phil Spector treatment. Nice and weird for a pop tune. Have you done Friend of a Friend…another throwback that is weird in its own unique way.

[@micahclawrence]

I love Vampire Weekend.

[@exert2020]

5:00 that part you couldn't place...it's from lots of songs..even one of my own...but I think I've heard it in a Strokes song. Was it off one of their tracks from First Impressions of Earth??

[@nixpix44]

Video suggestion, pond-neon river. That bit you couldn't figure out, dan fogelberg-longer

[@kategeraghty2591]

I second the Dan Fogelberg song! That’s totally what I heard as the song on the tip of his tongue.

[@cindyadzukichang]

Also I had a question for comments day: Which do you enjoy more-- the process of creating new music or the performance aspect of music?

[@tomservojr]

I think you're hearing the melody of Dan Fogelberg's "Longer"-that's what I'm getting from that section. "Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean/Higher than any bird ever flew!"

[@JK-gm6kk]

I mean, will always love apunk, for obvious reasons. Also, Step and The Kids Don't Stand a Chance are my jams. I just discovered this channel, and seeing as it seems to be largely music based reaction, where is his video reacting to Death Grips?

[@ampersandartisan]

I like it! Never really got into vampire weekend but might listen to a bit more now. Also, I think this song sounds like something you'd hear on a charity tv advert, still like it tho😅

[@DanFedMusic]

We all long for great songwriting, memorable melodies and sweet production… Not really sure why we got away from that. It feels like most artists are making their best effort to make music that most people aren't going to like.

[@kennyd8747]

5:10 I feel like you’re thinking of Tiny Dancer. Very similar harmony

[@FrontRunnerlive]

Does 'more than words' by Extreme fit over this chording?

[@nevermanishere4555]

The title of this vid got me lol. Saw the thumbnail and it looked like David Byrne aka Talking Heads, so let's see what's up with Justin.

[@AheadOfMyTime]

Alright I laughed a few times. Im hooked into watching these.

[@kimberlycoberly6987]

❤❤❤❤ Mr Hawkins!!!!

[@peterkitts8815]

I do like Vampire Weekend. Harmony Hall was joyous

[@SuziQ.]

3:03 & 3:46 & 4:40 & 8:07 (ish)- It’s familiar, but if it’s Elton, my ears aren’t finding the song. Could it be a Bread song? 8:30 I don’t think it’s Seasons in the Sun, and I’ll be damned before I listen to that song. 😂 This one was hilarious (your reaction, not the song).

[@sues6944]

@SuziQ, it's not Elton John but I get the Bread reference. A bit like If (a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you) by Bread.

[@SuziQ.]

⁠​⁠@@sues6944, Maybe the bridge in that song, or “Everything I Own”?

[@TheShamescoStillLovesYa]

I wanna hear a studio version of Meandering Through Em.

[@phantomthread4385]

This and Kim Gordon's new album are my favourites releases this year.

[@juliehartley3652]

I didn't know what a bassoon sounded like but luckily I have the internet. It's a bit of an unusual instrument isn't it?

[@Zosomatt]

Art Garfunkel mate innit

[@artharrison9586]

Justin, I promise you, if I could get to London I would. But I’m in Vancouver and can’t make this one. Let me know when you’re coming here. I’m 61 and you make me want to play guitar again. (I have a 2016 Gibson SG Anniversary Edition that languishes in my bedroom as I write.) I do like Vampire Weekend.

[@revwillyg6450]

Sounds very familiar, but I don't know what🤷‍♂️ .Not what I expected from a group with Vampire in their name

[@wonsworld61]

They really have the vibe of Primitve Radio Gods in parts of the song (to my ear anyway). I like it :)

[@Rocksarum]

04:28 yeahh! OSTINATO babyyyyy!!! 😙😜

[@mkashay]

They are a very unique band. They are very influenced by both African and classical music. They are very unique.

[@seanpower1595]

Best version of rides again theme song ever👍

[@Krixtalized]

First time for me, and lovely, most music arent even music these days

[@stevesanyal]

I heard a bit of Karma Police in the little line cliche

[@youhen01]

Yes

[@eric_b_]

i like this show.

[@Tsweezey90]

I think i read that the really squeaky bits qre played on a pedal steel

[@Necropheliac]

I once saw Peter Steele when type o negative was opening for Ozzy and he was drinking what looked like a glass vial of blood, where he would sip between songs. At some point in the show he lifted his glass and said: “Ocean Spray cran-grape” and something about never performing without it. I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. Since I was a singer also, I decided to try it and to my surprise I discovered that it really helped my vocal chords stay lubed while singing. Something about the tangyness causes a reaction in my throat to help things out a tiny bit, and I’ve been using it ever since. Do you drink anything on stage? I’m fascinated with finding out these little personal secrets of other performers.

[@AndyBates913]

What did you think of the Gibson Garage Justin? Did you buy anything?

[@timhouston4470]

I'm a skippy, I'm a bit slow. Justin was in the Darkness - duh. Deconstruct more songs! This is great! I like Vampire Weekend. I've never really listened to them before, but I like them. Great sounds, and they've really got something to say

[@chrislloydguitarist]

After digging into the vault of my brain, that melody sounds like 'Jessie' by Joshua Kadison

[@sjappelodorus]

Yes! That's the one.

[@MariaFrancesca]

I've never been to Hayes, but now I start to wonder what it's like that not even you can lure people there 😅

[@ZuzuTheLemon]

Hard to get to unless you already live there apparently 😂

[@MariaFrancesca]

So... not the Mordor of London?? I'm almost disappointed 😄

[@ZuzuTheLemon]

@@MariaFrancesca Well, I looked at the transport option from where I am, and it's 3 trains plus the underground across London...they just walked to Mordor!

[@MariaFrancesca]

@@ZuzuTheLemon So... people have no excuse, really? Sam and Frodo walked!!! 😀 If I win the lottery tonight, I'll go! 🙂

[@Nayz13]

I always think you’re emulating that guy from the Carry On films when you do that voice from the intro 😂 I saw Vampire weekend live years ago when they supported Lanie Lane here in Adelaide, forgot all about them. I love Lanie’s music, shame she stopped making it.

[@tilmanscha4285]

good day to you one and noel?? i am also big noel gallagher fan but isnt a little too much?

[@Zosomatt]

I liked the early 2000 stuff they tended to use it on inbetweeners Pretty unusual and memorable.