Fleet Foxes

I think this album gets slightly overlooked in discussions about the best of its era, which is a shame because it does so many things right. The arrangements are inventive without being showy, the performances are committed and emotionally present, and the overall arc of the tracklist is really well considered. My only real criticism is that it occasionally feels like it's holding back when it should be going for broke. There are moments where you can sense a bigger, bolder idea lurking just beneath the surface. But what's actually here is still great — a confident, cohesive album that rewards close listening and repeated plays.

Not terrible but certainly not deserving of the acclaim.

I respect the ambition but this doesn't work for me.

An absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Every track earns its place.

Peak creative output from an artist at the top of their game.

Not quite their best work but honestly that's a high bar. This is still a fantastic album by any reasonable standard. The songwriting is sharp, the sound is distinctive, and it's got great replay value.

Feels self-indulgent in places. Could have been much better with editing.

A confident, mature work. You can hear the growth from their earlier releases.

Probably the most perfectly sequenced album I've ever heard. Each track sets up the next one beautifully and the climax hits like a freight train. The fact that they pulled this off is honestly kind of miraculous.

One of those albums where you can hear the artist really pushing themselves.