Welcome back to Interesting CD Releases. I've got a big one for you this first week of the semester.
Faced with a clear choice between expanding their sonic pallet and being labeled as a "one-trick pony," New York's Vampire Weekend add more elements to the mix on sophomore effort Contra. Admittedly a lot of these tricks are borrowed from their indie pop peers, but Contra is still fun if not revelatory and packed with a bevy of incestuously catchy hooks that should allow Vampire Weekend to maintain their quickly gained popularity. Their afro beat influence still sounds fresh in such a pristine pop venue, and that's enough reason to at least give this one a listen. Plus all your hipster friends will probably laugh at you if you don't.
And unless you're interested in following the trajectory of falling stars such as Ringo Starr, I really don't see anything all that interesting left in this week's releases. But one release as anticipated as Contra is pretty good for this time of year, so I wouldn't complain too much.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
