Fleet Foxes

Over the past several years, Sub Pop has become quite the animal collective: first Wolf Parade, then Band of Horses, now Fleet Foxes. The sunny, bucolic pop of the Foxes, however, is far removed from stereotypical Sub Pop indie rock—by about 30 to 40 years. The Washington-based band's sound harkens back to the West Coast's golden era when vocal harmonies were prized above guitar solos. To Fleet Foxes' credit, their homage is fondly reminiscent without being shamelessly nostalgic, endearing but not precious. Most impressively, on songs like "Ragged Wood" and "Blue Ridge Mountains," the Foxes' pastoral prettiness blossoms into yearning wanderlust. Close your eyes and you'll swear you're in the foothills, traversing a vast, empty expanse. The ragged, lo-fi folk from openers the Duchess and the Duke should provide an appropriately gritty counterpoint. With Yer Cronies. 18+.
Sun., July 20, 8 p.m., 2008