Fleet Foxes Win Album Art Prize

With “list season” come and gone its now time to welcome “awards season” to the blogosphere. And for all of you Art History aficionado’s out there, this story is pretty intriguing. Following a number of top honours in 2008, Seattle’s much-loved Fleet Foxes have claimed the Best Art Vinyl Award for their self-titled album’s cover art.

Fleet Foxes’s winning cover features a segment of the 1559 painting Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, whose work depicts the Dutch proverbs of the day. In rock’n’roll history, Bruegel’s painting The Triumph of Death was used in the late seventies by Black Sabbath for a greatest hits album. Well worth the trip to Wikipedia to analyse this one though, it makes for an illuminating read.

The Fleet Foxes’ cover beat out 50 other album jackets that made the longlist for the annual prize, which was organized by the UK-based album-art appreciation society Art Vinyl and drew almost 3,000 online votes. Second in the list of 50 superbly terrific covers was the more modern Roots Manuva cover for Slime & Reason. Coldplay’s Viva La Vida got third prize for their reversion of Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix (1830 for the Wikipedia fact contingent).

In previous years, artists such as Thom Yorke and the Cribs have taken home the Best Art Vinyl Award, and 2008’s top selections will be on display at the London (UK) Rough Trade East store throughout January.

No word yet on whether Thom’s red pants will be recognized this “awards season”.

Here are the top ten album covers picked in the 2008 poll:

1. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
2. Roots Manuva Slime And Reason
3. Coldplay Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
4. Goldfrapp Seventh Tree
5. Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
6. Metallica Death Magnetic
7. Bloc Party Intimacy
8. Low Motion Disco Keep it Slow
9. Santogold Santogold
10. Zombie Zombie Dog Walker

So what are your thoughts on lifting these historical pieces to promote pop music? At least the Pogues made it their own when they did it. My vote would likely have been cast for Roots Manuva or Bloc Party.

Fleet Tweedies? Wilcoxes? Fleeco? Whatever... It’s a Free Download

But You Have to Promise to Vote

It’s so nice when inspired collaborations result in a little musical magic. Such is the case this week for your ‘mini’ download lowdown’. The super fantastic Fleet Foxes and Wilco covered Bob Dylan's classic "I Shall be Released" at a recent live show, and they're giving it away online if you promise to vote. Go here to Wilcoworld.net make a pledge and get a free download. It’s a goodie too!

Such tumultuous times. And in the spirit of giveaways that seem to be sweeping the nation, we've got something free for you. No it's not a pile of cash (sorry) but rather an audio postcard of sorts from a summer's night in Oregon with our friends the Fleet Foxes & a lovely Bob Dylan tune. All we ask is you check the "I pledge to vote in the 2008 Election" button below. If you can spare it, we also encourage you to consider a donation to Feeding America . (and please feel free to pass this link along to friends, family members, etc.).

Your Download Lowdown

Now for something completely different- This week the download lowdown features a comedian, a Canadian hip-hopper and an upcoming show by what might be the most exciting band I have heard this year.

New York comedian, Eugene Mirman (Sub Pop Records) kicks things off with a terrific road story told by him. It’s a shame there is only one piece but it is worthy of your attention. Go to daytrotter.com to find this one.

Also on daytrotter.com is a terrific session by Edmonton, AB rapper Cadence Weapon. I have to admit after hearing his live Canada Day performance on CBC Radio's Q, I really regret not going to see him the last time he was through the city. A thoroughly engaging performer with energy to spare.






Lastly, mark your calendars for this one.

July 7: Fleet Foxes In Concert
Live On NPR.org From Washington, D.C.

The members of Fleet Foxes like to say they're not much of a rock band, but they are one of the year's breakout acts. The group's self-titled debut, released earlier this year on the Sub Pop label, has earned universal acclaim for its timeless mix of folk, choral and rock. It's a sound that's both a revival and a reinvention of roots music, with inspired attention given to melody and harmony. Hear Fleet Foxes give a full concert, webcast live on NPR.org, on July 7th. The performance, from the Black Cat in Washington, D.C., will begin online at approximately 10 p.m. ET.

If you would like to sample this terrific band, check out the archives on daytrotter.com for the Fleet Foxes session recorded last April.

That is all.