The album is somber, but also has points of upswing.  Their biggest song “White Winter Hymnal” and  “Ragged Wood” have a good feeling to them.  They’re not overly happy, but just enough to make you feel good.  The track “White Winter Hymnal” features some dank-like strumming (a-la Bob Dylan) and features some great vocal harmonies.  However, when they hold back some of their vocal harmonies lead singer Robin Pecknold really shines like on “Ragged Wood”.  “Quiet Houses” shows off their Byrds influences with a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, but layered with an acoustic guitar and piano that add to it and make it a unique sound.

Overall, the overall tone of this album is dark.  On the track “Meadowlark”, Pecknold sings
“Hummingbird, just let me die,
Inside the broken holes of your olive eyes.
I do believe you gave it your best try.
Ah hummingbird, sing to me.”

And on track Simon & Garfunkel/ Steeleye Span influenced track “Tiger Mountain”, Robin gets away with singing “I don’t know what I have done. I’m turning myself to a demon”.  He sounds genuine and puts feeling into.

The album is filled with great vocal melodies.  On the song “He Doesn’t Know Why” it sounds like a mix of The Beach Boys and The Beatles. “Heard Them Stirring” features no lyrics at all, but instead continues the oohing that is so prevalent on the album. “Oliver James” borrows from John Denver in that the vocal melody follows the guitar melody, but works.  This track sounds like it can be used to carry a crowd or just have a sing-a-long around a campfire.

Overall, this album is a great first true album.  It has everything you need great lyrics, vocal harmonies, and beautiful guitar/piano melodies.

Is this worthy of the Album of The Year?  Quite Possibly, yeah.

Grade: A-

Suggested Tracks: 

• “White Winter Hymnal“
• “He Doesn’t Know Why”
• “Meadowlark”
• “Oliver James”

Suggested Listening:

• early Steeleye Span
• The Band – Music From Big Pink
• Brian Wilson – Smile