"They have awesome afrobeat-style guitar and an singer with a pretty sweet voice and, on the evidence of the songs on their Myspace, a natural gift for melody the likes of which you don't hear very often. Of course, I say "natural gift" when it could be that they spent long hours toiling in the glare of a hurricane lamp developing their melodic sense because they don't actually have it naturally. Who, really, can say? Nobody can say. The band might, if you asked them in an interview, but whether they affirmed or denied their alleged natural gifts, how would you know to trust them? You don't know these guys. You just decided to interview them. They could be having you on a little. See how hard it is just to be alive? Anyhow, Vampire Weekend, everybody. I found about them by following a link from Dalston Oxfam Shop, so nuff respeck to the Dalston Oxfam Shop. "

-John Darnielle

Last Plane to Jakarta June 4th, 2007

"Vampire Weekend’s not what you’d expect from New York rock. That’s part of the point. Hear it in groups like Dirty Projectors, Animal Collective, and High Places—the city’s best independent bands are less and less serious (Interpol), less fashion conscious (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), less hatefully avant-garde (Liars) and, crucially, less concerned with rock’s rhythmic predictability (the Strokes). No terrible beauties being born, no purple verse rising up from the cracks in concrete."

Stylus Magazine June 21st, 2007

"it’s as if they’re four missing members of Salinger’s Glass family. Their lyrics are endearingly wordy, delivered in a smooth, crystal-clear voice by singer/guitarist Ezra Koenig. The accompanying music is an expertly crafted, loving homage to first-wave ska, full of infectious, hard-to-follow drumming and squiggly guitar fills and melodies that reveal the influence of South African music — or at the very least, Graceland, which would be fine too. Always present, though, is their keen sense of melody as informed by American pop music. It is a mess of influences, obviously, but their vision of what they want to be is so studied and clear that the results are as perfectly tasteful and wonderfully charming as they are fresh and unexpected. And on top of that, it’s a rare band that can make songs about mansard roofs and Oxford Commas so universally enjoyable."

THE L MAGAZINE May, 2007

"...Indie-pop gems of a different cut, pulling on the world music bend of Paul Simon's Graceland and late Talking Heads, wrapped in literary barbs and ample alliteration."

"Take a listen and love."

A BAND TO WATCH

STEREOGUM April 13th, 2007

"Meet the best unsigned band in New York City. They’ve got this great, distinctly American sound infused with elements of afrobeat (seriously) and all dressed up in whimsical keys, effervescent pop sounds and sing-a-long melodies."

GOOD WEATHER FOR AIRSTRIKES March 27th, 2007

"Vampire Weekend is a young local band that oozes offhanded charm...wry lyrics with eccentric hooks and worldly, easygoing grooves."

TIME OUT NEW YORK February 15th, 2007

"There is a freedom to their sound - not exactly sloppy, but not exactly tight either. "

"...[with] that untucked charm of a sleepless night."

MUSIC FOR ROBOTS February 15th, 2007