Comments on: Not Another Vampire Weekend Post

By: Michael J. West

Michael J. West — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:16:39 +0000

True, but like anything else there’s a downside. In this case I think we’re consuming and dismissing artists before we have a chance to see their real potential either way.

It’s sorta like declaring a six-month-old band who’s released two singles–one of them a huge smash, the other a flop–a one-hit wonder.

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:50:58 +0000

I think it can be good. Back in the so-called early ’90s indie heyday, an indie rock band breaking into the Billboard Top 10 would have been unheard of….

So the hype machine has given us Arcade Fire (whatever their merits), Modest Mouse, Clap Hands….etc.

By: Michael J. West

Michael J. West — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:42:02 +0000

Cherkis,

Agreed on the hype machine today. Do you think that’s good, bad, or just different?

By: Cherkis

Cherkis — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 05:48:45 +0000

West:

I think you bring up a good example with CYHSY. I wonder tho how indie hype is different now than it was 10 years ago. I think it’s faster and fiercer. The arc of adoration to backlash is like seconds compared to what it once was. I’m sure people have better thoughts on this…

By: West

West — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:57:49 +0000

A fair question about a “formal process.” No, of course there isn’t and shouldn’t be one. I’m shooting from the hip here.

But consider what happened in ‘05 with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They put out a solid debut record, and it got them elevated to this messianic level that (for me, anyway) almost instantly deflated at their mediocre live show. Then they put out their second album that IMHO was better than the first, but couldn’t match the hype.

So while I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard of VW, as of this moment I’m reluctant to coronate them the way the indie press/blogosphere have done. It’s subjective, I suppose (which, in fairness, I did imply an awful lot in the original blog entry, what with the “I don’t like it” and “it worries me”).

By: Leitko

Leitko — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:54:35 +0000

Eh. Please strike my rude and inappropriate pandiculation from the record. I apologize.

Anyway, here’s my beef,

I don’t understand why Vampire Weekend are undeserving of hype. Singles, mp3s, and (possibly) a leak of the record were widely available prior to the official release. People read about the band, listened to the music, and liked it…a lot. Then the record came out and people liked that a lot too. What’s the mystery there? And what’s not to like about that process? It’s not as if the indie-rock illuminati PR’ed them into existence.

Furthermore, is there a formal process by which any band should become deservedly hyped?

By: West

West — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 05:43:44 +0000

Perhaps they do. Everything I’ve heard has been pretty fuckin’ good. But I’m more questioning whether it’s appropriate to give ANY band this much hype, this early in their career.

But whatever. 1 AM is no time for debating.

By: Cherkis

Cherkis — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:47:40 +0000

I think he’s yawning at your post about the band. Vampire Weekend may actually deserve the hype.

By: Michael J. West

Michael J. West — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:14:35 +0000

Are you yawning at the band? Or the post about the band?

By: Leitko

Leitko — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:02:15 +0000

Yawn.