Review of Mike Powell’s Pitchfork review

Words by:  Chris Hillman

We here at Thriller Mag like to scoff at Pitchfork reviews because, well, they deserve it. But I’ll be damned! Their review of the new Vampire Weekend album is great! I’m no Vampire Weekend fan, so I’m not just trying to fluff up my favorite band. I have no idea who Mike Powell is, so there’s no favoritism going on here. I’d just like to think I can recognize a fair assessment and unpretentious writing when I see it. Mr. Powell said everything I always wanted someone to say about Vampire Weekend, and better than I could say it. Maybe Pitchfork knew Contra was pretty heavily anticipated, so they put their best man on it. Makes sense, right?

The only insignificant issue I found was the use of a few ten-dollar words like “juxtapositions,” and “platitudes.” Ironically, Powell criticizes VW lyricist Ezra Koenig for his use of “loud nouns.” But Powell uses his words with precision and Koenig’s stand out heavily in the context of VW’s otherwise light compositions. Maybe it’s the subject, maybe it’s the author, but Powell’s honest and unaffected review is refreshing. Like an ice-cold glass of horchata.