Vampire Weekend doesn't sound like their name suggests. There's nothing the slightest bit spooky or goth-y about the music made by this foursome of ex-Columbia University students. Instead, their songs are joyful and upbeat, with Afropop-inspired swinging instrumentation backing smart lyrics.
The group made a splash with an EP last year, but this looks to be the year the foursome could really hit it big, with a self-titled album set to hit stores next week. The first track on the album, "Mansard Roof," is already available as a digital download from iTunes — and it recently led to me embarrassing myself by dancing rather enthusiastically on a street corner while waiting for the light to change.
Several more Vampire Weekend songs are streaming at the band's MySpace page, but I'd suggest getting acquainted with them by watching a couple of music videos. To check them out, just
Senate Democrats hinted at payback for Sen. Joe Lieberman, who called Barack Obama an untested candidate beholden to Democratic interest groups in a prime-time GOP convention address.
AFP - Authorities in China's Muslim-populated far northwest are seeking to prevent mass prayers and the distribution of religious material as part of a security crackdown for Ramadan, government notices said.
Reuters - Condoleezza Rice travels to Libya on
Friday, the first trip there by a U.S. secretary of state in 55
years, signaling improved ties between the two countries.
