I've listened to the Fleet Foxes album twice now, and it's a solid "eh" so far, compounded with a degree of "what the hell is the hype about?" that I'm trying to resist. It's well arranged, and that's definitely a virtue with me, and keeps me paying attention through the ordinary riffs and chord changes and complete lack of anything resembling a hook, but it's neither original nor an interesting variation on Americana/folk with simple harmonies, and there was nothing that jumped out the second time round.
Unfortunately, the only time the lyrics caught my attention was when they awkwardly broke lines on prepositions and conjunctions; I'll pay more attention the next time through. The singing is serviceable. The rhythms are okay. The attention to detail is admirable.
fig. 1 - admirable detail
Albums like this have grown on me before, so I'm not giving up. But there isn't much to hang my ears on yet.
I'll admit to wrestling with this album a bit myself. I bought it on Friday and have been playing it pretty regularly ever since. Unlike you, I think it's actually really good... but the striking similarities to contemporaries is difficult to get past.
There's gotta be something said for the fact that I bought this on the same day as the new My Morning Jacket, and despite the fact that these guys sound a lot like MMJ, I find I'd rather listen to the Foxes.