There's been plenty of pre-release hype, viral and otherwise. You've known the tracklist and backstory for a while. And after hearing "Horchata," "California English" (in two parts), "Cousins," and the old-timer "White Sky," you wouldn't be faulted for thinking Vampire Weekend are giving you more of the same on their California-inspired second album. That's true in some regards. They're clearly confident in their aesthetically preppy lyrical themes (Note: A Richard Serra reference in "White Sky" also ties them to Sunn O))), though VW were first, for what its worth). It's also true these 10 new tracks aren't always as immediately catchy as what they offered on their self-titled debut and/or the CD-R that came before it. Once you start really taking the tracks apart, they start opening up in the hook department and it becomes clear they've gone deeper with the production, and emotion. They've also taken a couple late-album chances via songs that sound less band-like and more like bedroom recordings (think Beirut vs Realpeople, for instance).Continue reading Premature Evaluation: Vampire Weekend - Contra...