Contra (album)

Contrais the second studio album by the AmericanrockbandVampire Weekend, produced by band memberRostam Batmanglijand released in January 2010 onXL Recordings. It was preceded by the 2009 singles "Horchata" and "Cousins." The album received critical praise and debuted at number one on the USBillboard200. It was recognized as one of The 100 Best Albums of the Decade So Far byPitchforkin August 2014.
The release ofContrawas announced on September 15, 2009,and was released in the UK on January 11, 2010. It was released in the US on the next day. "Horchata" was released as a free download on October 5, 2009, on the band's website. The first single was "Cousins", accompanied by a 7" single, and a music video.The album was available for streaming on the band'sMySpacestarting on January 3, 2010.It was also available for streaming from theirofficial website, as of January 5, 2010.
In addition to their established blend ofAfrican musicinfluences withindie rock, the album draws from genres such asska,dancehall, anddance music.It also incorporates theelectro-popandAutoTunefound on Batmanglij'sDiscoveryside-project.TheMontreal Gazettestated that the album and its predecessor established the band's hybridworldbeat-pop style.The album has been characterized aspop,"eclectic, intellectual indie rock,"and "diffident haute bourgeoisiesynth pop."The band made an effort to make their second album a natural expansion on the universe created in their debut album; as a result,Contracovers a far greater gamut of musical influences than their debut album, drawing inspiration from genres such asskaon "Holiday", synth-pop on "Giving Up the Gun",speed rapon "California English" and evenrave musicon "Run". The production of the album, directed by Rostam Batmanglij, was also different from their former work in that it did not use chamber echo and natural reverb but instead used digital effects to give the album an eighties aesthetic. Other distinguishing features ofContraare the use of backing vocals as textural elements, the debut of Batmanglij as a lead guitarist and more layered drumwork in which fundamentalLatin beatsare blended withdrum machinesto create a busier rhythm section.
The album title is intended as a thematic allegory and reference, not to theNicaraguan counter-revolutionaries, but to the 1987 video gameContra.The titleContrais aRomance language(Latin-based) word meaning "against" or "opposite", and is sometimes given as a one-word interjection, used to indicate objection or opposition to an idea or explanation.Ezra Koenighas stated in multiple interviews that the album contains lyrical themes of opposition consistent with its title, and feels it is important to understand that the word "Contra" is a fundamental concept of conflict, without any implication that one side is right or wrong. The lyrics ofContraare also meant to express a desire to be compassionate even towards people and things one disagrees with.He also states the lyrics ofContradeal with reconciling feeling of privilege and guilt, for which he uses the term "first-world guilt".Contrais considered by critics to be instrumental in cementing the cultural significance of Vampire Weekend first formed with their debut record, asContradeepens and commits to a general attitude of rejecting traditional notions that rock musicians are poor, underprivileged rebels. Whereas their first album brought to light the prejudices against affluence and wealth in rock music,Contra, even in its title, openly argues this stigma.
The lyrics of "I Think Ur a Contra" include the phrase "Complete Control", the title of aClashsingle (notably, an influential1980triple albumby The Clash was entitledSandinista!after thesocialistmilitancy opposed by the Contras during theNicaraguan Contra war). This refers partially to the controversy surrounding their punk roots. The title "Diplomat's Son" is a reference to a story singer Koenig wrote while in college about boarding school, though the content lyrically talks about a relationship told by Rostam Batmanglij.The song also features a vocal sample fromM.I.A.'s "Hussel". "Holiday" begins with the opening lyrics ofFairport Convention's 1969 rendition of "Matty Groves".
The cover ofContrafeatures a candidPolaroidof a woman from 1983. The photo was found by Batmanglij while searching "New York City 1983" on Flickr. Lead singer Koenig states that when he first saw the image, he felt he read "some sort of hesitation" in her face, and that the band discussed at length what her possible age or emotional state could be in the photograph, without ever becoming certain of either. Koenig believed that "wrapped up in her expression is this question: 'How is she feeling?'" and that "maybe she wasn't even really sure at the time."
In an interview, Koenig revealed that the woman pictured on the front cover is "now living inMalibu".Koenig has confirmed that the picture was taken in 1983 by photographerTod Brodyand was chosen as a juxtaposition to the debut album's cover which, while taken in 2006, looks as if it "inhabits the same world".Koenig also referred to the woman as "Kirsten" in a post onTwitter.Koenig likens the image to theRorschach testas multiple meanings can be extrapolated from just a few signifiers, saying, "Some people get very mad when they see a white blonde girl in a Polo shirt."
On July 15, 2010, Vampire Weekend, along withXL Recordingsand Brody, were sued by Ann Kirsten Kennis, the woman who identified herself as the woman on the cover, for $2 million for using the photo without her permission.Kennis has said that the photo was taken while she was "a high-fashion model under contract with prestigious agencies in New York City." In addition, Kennis said that the release forms for the photo that were allegedly signed by Kennis herself, were forged.In a statement released by Kennis' lawyer Alan Neigher, Neigher said that Kennis discovered herself on the cover when her daughter brought home a copy ofContraand showed it to Kennis. Neigher also mentioned that Brody did not take the photo and said that it was taken by Kennis' mother. Despite this claim, Brody claims that he took the photo and says that he had the photo for 26 yearsuntil Vampire Weekend discovered it on hisFlickrpage and bought it for five thousand dollars. Kennis' own former agent, Sue Charney, toldVanity Fair, "To me it is very clearly a Polaroid taken at a casting session."Koenig later responded on the matter, saying "this is the first time any of us have ever been sued, so we're still learning how it works." He added, "There's nothing we can say about it. We're not trying to be mysterious. I imagine in the next few months there'll be plenty to talk about. Given it's our first time, we just want to do it properly."
In December 2010, Vampire Weekend filed their own lawsuit against Brody, which argued that he would be liable for any damages Kennis would receive, due to misrepresentation.
On August 15, 2011, it was announced that Kennis had dropped her lawsuit against XL Recordings and Vampire Weekend after they paid Kennis an undisclosed sum.However, the separate lawsuits against Brody from Kennis and Vampire Weekend were not dropped.
The song "Cousins" was used in various media, such asPeter Rabbit,Tony Hawk: Shred,Pro Evolution Soccer 2011, andThe Kids are All Right. The song "Taxi Cab" was used in a scene in the moviePaper Towns.
Contrareceived acclaim from music critics.Metacritic, which assigns anormalizedrating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, reported anaveragescore of 81 based on 39 reviews, described as "universal acclaim".Spin's Jon Dolan wrote that "the balance of classical, rock, and world instrumentation, cagey rhythms, and stunning prettiness isn't just architecturally resplendent, it's reassuringly sweet and strangely moving."AllMusiccritic Heather Phares praised the album's "inspired juxtapositions," stating that the band "makeAuto-Tuneand real live guitars, Mexican drinks, Jamaican riffs andUpper West Sidestrings belong together."Paul Stokes ofNMEdescribed Vampire Weekend as "one of the most unique bands on the planet."Dave Simpson ofThe Guardianstated that the 10 tracks ofContra"will probably be among this year's most played and most joyful tunes."The A.V. Clubcalled it "a career statement, one that’s letting the world know that theseColumbia Universitypreps have more than just a fleeting interest inworld music," and added that the band "continues to beTalking Heads’ heir apparent, with a good amount ofSmiths-like literate pop thrown in."
On December 1, 2010, it was announced thatContrawas nominated for a Grammy for "Best Alternative Music Album".Contrawas ranked number 6 onRolling Stone'slist of the 30 Best Albums of 2010.Pitchforkplaced it at number 6 on its list "The Top 50 Albums of 2010".Consequence of Soundnamed it the best album of 2010.
It is the band's first album to reach number one on theBillboard200, and the12th independently distributed albumin history to reach the number one spot on theBillboard200 sinceNielsen Soundscanbegan recording data in 1991, while also being the first independent artist to have done so without ever having signed with a major label, after already established rock bandsRadioheadandPearl Jamand beforeArcade Fire'sThe Suburbs.The album sold 124,000 copies in its first weekand was awarded Gold by theRIAAon November 21, 2011, which means it has sold over 500,000 units in the US alone.In 2010. It was awarded a diamond certification from theIndependent Music Companies Associationwhich indicated sales of at least 250,000 copies throughout Europe.
Vampire Weekend