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Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2006. The band is known for its harmonious folk melodies and complex arrangements, which have significantly influenced the indie folk genre. Fleet Foxes gained prominence for their rich, harmonic, and acoustic sound, drawing inspiration from the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s, with influences including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Brian Wilson, among others.
The band released its first self-titled EP in 2006, followed by the “Sun Giant” EP in 2008, which garnered critical acclaim. Their debut full-length studio album, “Fleet Foxes,” was released later in 2008 and received widespread recognition, marking a significant milestone in their career. This debut was notable for its intricate vocal harmonies and its blend of traditional folk with a modern indie twist.
Over the years, Fleet Foxes have released a total of four full-length studio albums, including the critically acclaimed “Helplessness Blues” in 2011, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Folk Album category. The band’s discography also includes several EPs and live albums, contributing to their reputation and influence in contemporary music.
Fleet Foxes have been inspired by a range of artists from the folk and rock genres, contributing to their unique sound that has, in turn, inspired a new generation of indie folk musicians. Their music has paved the way for artists who seek to blend traditional folk influences with modern indie elements, making Fleet Foxes a pivotal figure in the resurgence of folk music in the 21st century.
FLEET FOXES STUDIO ALBUMS
Fleet Foxes
Released 2008
Fleet Foxes, the self-titled debut album by the Seattle-based indie folk band Fleet Foxes, was a breath of fresh air in the indie music scene upon its release. Known for its lush harmonies and intricate folk arrangements, the album quickly became a critical and commercial success. It was recorded at Reciprocal Recording Studios in Seattle with producer Phil Ek and features Robin Pecknold’s lead vocals and guitar, Skyler Skjelset on guitar and mandolin, Nicholas Peterson on drums, Casey Wescott on keyboards, and Christian Wargo on bass and backing vocals.
CD Track Listings:
- “Sun It Rises” – 3:11
- “White Winter Hymnal” – 2:27
- “Ragged Wood” – 5:07
- “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” – 3:29
- “Quiet Houses” – 3:32
- “He Doesn’t Know Why” – 3:20
- “Heard Them Stirring” – 3:02
- “Your Protector” – 4:09
- “Meadowlarks” – 3:11
- “Blue Ridge Mountains” – 4:25
- “Oliver James” – 3:23
Helplessness Blues
Released 2011
Helplessness Blues is the second studio album by Fleet Foxes, released to widespread critical acclaim for its complex lyricism and expanded sound. The album delves deeper into the band’s signature folk influences while exploring new musical directions. Recorded over several sessions from 2009 to 2011 at various locations, including Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock, New York, and Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, the album was produced by Phil Ek alongside the band. The lineup included Robin Pecknold, Skyler Skjelset, Christian Wargo, Casey Wescott, and J. Tillman (Josh Tillman), who contributed drums and vocals before his departure to pursue his solo project as Father John Misty.
CD Track Listings:
- “Montezuma” – 3:37
- “Bedouin Dress” – 4:29
- “Sim Sala Bim” – 3:14
- “Battery Kinzie” – 2:49
- “The Plains / Bitter Dancer” – 5:53
- “Helplessness Blues” – 5:03
- “The Cascades” – 2:07
- “Lorelai” – 4:24
- “Someone You’d Admire” – 2:29
- “The Shrine / An Argument” – 8:07
- “Blue Spotted Tail” – 3:05
- “Grown Ocean” – 4:36
Crack-Up
Released 2017
Crack-Up, Fleet Foxes’ third studio album, marked a significant evolution in the band’s sound, introducing a more experimental and complex approach to songwriting and production. Recorded at various studios, including Electric Lady Studios in New York City and The Unknown in Anacortes, Washington, the album was co-produced by Robin Pecknold and Skyler Skjelset. The album’s rich, textured soundscapes and intricate compositions reflect a broadening of the band’s musical horizons, with influences ranging from classical music to avant-garde pop.
CD Track Listings:
- “I Am All That I Need / Arroyo Seco / Thumbprint Scar” – 6:25
- “Cassius, -“ – 4:50
- “- Naiads, Cassadies” – 3:11
- “Kept Woman” – 3:55
- “Third of May / Ōdaigahara” – 8:45
- “If You Need To, Keep Time on Me” – 3:31
- “Mearcstapa” – 4:10
- “On Another Ocean (January / June)” – 4:23
- “Fool’s Errand” – 4:48
- “I Should See Memphis” – 4:44
- “Crack-Up” – 6:24
Shore
Released 2020
Shore is the fourth studio album by Fleet Foxes, showcasing a notable shift towards a brighter, more optimistic sound compared to the introspective Crack-Up. Recorded in various locations, including Long Pond in Hudson Valley, New York, and The Unknown in Anacortes, Washington, the album was released with little prior announcement on the autumnal equinox. Robin Pecknold took the helm in producing the album, which features contributions from a wide array of musicians, including a notable appearance by the Westerlies, a brass quartet, adding a new dimension to the band’s sound.
CD Track Listings:
- “Wading in Waist-High Water” – 3:31
- “Sunblind” – 4:13
- “Can I Believe You” – 4:04
- “Jara” – 4:09
- “Featherweight” – 3:50
- “A Long Way Past The Past” – 3:58
- “For A Week Or Two” – 2:11
- “Maestranza” – 3:03
- “Young Man’s Game” – 3:11
- “I’m Not My Season” – 3:11
- “Quiet Air / Gioia” – 4:27
- “Going-to-the-Sun Road” – 3:58
- “Thymia” – 2:22
- “Cradling Mother, Cradling Woman” – 5:10
- “Shore” – 4:19
FLEET FOXES LIVE ALBUMS
A Very Lonely Solstice
Released 2021
A Very Lonely Solstice captures Fleet Foxes in a more intimate setting, offering a live album that distills the essence of their expansive folk sound into a stripped-down, reflective performance. Recorded during the winter solstice of 2020, this album presents a unique listening experience that resonates with the quietude and introspection of the season. The setting, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, New York, provided a resonant backdrop that perfectly complemented the acoustic arrangements.
Robin Pecknold, the frontman of Fleet Foxes, takes center stage with his guitar and voice, delivering renditions of the band’s songs that are both familiar and freshly reimagined. The album serves as a showcase for Pecknold’s songwriting prowess and the emotional depth of Fleet Foxes’ music, providing a stark contrast to the fuller arrangements found on their studio albums.
CD Track Listings:
- “Wading in Waist-High Water” – 2:32
- “Sunblind” – 3:57
- “In the Morning” – 3:14
- “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” – 3:20
- “Maestranza” – 3:11
- “Helplessness Blues” – 4:58
- “Silver Dagger” (Traditional) – 3:24
- “Featherweight” – 3:51
- “A Long Way Past the Past” – 3:55
- “Blue Spotted Tail” – 2:53
- “If You Need To, Keep Time on Me” – 2:45
- “I’m Not My Season” – 3:58
- “Can I Believe You” – 4:04
- “Going-to-the-Sun Road” – 3:58



































