At first the trail leads back to the Seventies to the early "Genesis", the flattering harmonies of "America" or the psychedelic beginnings of "Pink Floyd". But the roots go deeper. In the background, the beginnings of folk seem to resonate and the rigor of the compositions seems almost mediaeval to.
In the center of the pieces are the harmony songs of the singer Robin Pecknold. With anthemic fervor and great earnestness he wears massive, almost mythical stories before. The instrumentation to simultaneously austere and playful and not afraid before instrumental passages, drums, flutes and complex art rock bays.
Despite the solemn overall tonality results in a large span of moods. The opener progresses from severe organ waltz into a powerful finale, while "Ragged Wood" is reversed from the driving rocker for sensitive interlude reduced.
Songs like "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" or "Oliver James" have an almost painful intensity. Highlight among highlights is "White Winter Hymnal", whose hypnotic rhythm a long no longer going out of my head.
At best, however, is that all this is not strenuous or overly intellectual comes along, but blends in veritable earwigs, which can be the soundtrack for weeks, when the first feeling of strangeness has dissolved.
Those looking for the unusual non-mainstream-Tands, could find his album of the year here.