Fleet Foxes - Crack-Up review: ‘True believers will proclaim the band’s genius’

Opinion on Fleet Foxes tends to divide into two camps. The Seattle band are either purveyors of timeless, baroque folk that’s attained instant classic status, or they’re a musical anachronism whose mournful, madrigal-style tunes soon become insufferable.

Six years between albums has given them time to come up with pretentious song titles, such as the opening I am All That I Need/Arroyo Seco/Thumbprint Scar.

At least they venture into fresh territory on this expansive, if overly ambitious comeback. The “Crack-Up” references Robin Pecknold’s burnout but he’s on form again with bewitching arrangements for his balmy vocal.

The shifting styles range from the ornate urgency of Fool’s Errand to the typically transcendent title track. Fleet Foxes’ third album probably won’t win any new fans, though true believers will continue to proclaim the band’s genius.

(Nonesuch)