Sun Giant Explained

Sun Giant
Type:EP
Artist:Fleet Foxes
Cover:sun+giant.jpg
Released:April 8, 2008
Recorded:January 2008
Studio:
Genre:Indie folk
Length:18:50
Producer:Phil Ek
Prev Title:The Fleet Foxes
Prev Year:2006
Next Title:Fleet Foxes
Next Year:2008

Sun Giant is the second EP by American band Fleet Foxes, released on April 8, 2008, by Sub Pop and Bella Union. While the EP was released prior to their debut album, Fleet Foxes, Sun Giant was recorded after the LP. Sun Giant was originally intended to be a tour-only release, but demand from fans led to its official release.[1] Fleet Foxes had stated that Sun Giant was pressed so that they had something to sell on tour and clarified that the music did not indicate their ambitions.[2] Despite this, the EP met with widespread critical acclaim; it was named the best album of 2008 by Pitchfork along with their debut LP.[3]

Background and release

Sun Giant was mostly recorded in January 2008 at Bear Creek, Woodinville, Washington. Additional recording was made at the band's house and Stuart Hollerman's Avasti Studio, the latter was also the place where the EP was mixed.

Reception

Sun Giant received widespread acclaim from music critics. Billboard said that the EP featured "harmony-rich songs more in keeping with Crosby, Stills & Nash, a welcome turn away from the agitated dance-rock still so prominent in the indie world."[4] Rolling Stone gave the EP three-out-of-four stars, and said that "with ramshackle rising-and-falling guitars, CSNY-style harmonies and the occasional mandolin plink, this five-track EP will make you pine for summer in the country," although the magazine said their songwriting was a bit thin. Sun Giant peaked at number 170 in the US Billboard 200 chart.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Sun Giant, which also state that: "We all played many an instrument. An itemized and individualized list would be egotistical and tiresome".[5]

Charts

Chart (2009)! scope="col"
Peak
position
UK Budget Albums (OCC)[6] 12

Notes and References

  1. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Sue_Busch_Interview.html "Interview With Fleet Foxes A&R Sue Busch"
  2. News: Gill . Andy . Album: Fleet Foxes, Sun Giant (Bella Union) . . 2008-04-25 . 2009-01-25.
  3. The 50 Best Albums of 2008. December 19, 2008. Pitchfork. December 21, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090317225915/http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7573-the-50-best-albums-of-2008/5/. March 17, 2009.
  4. Cohen. Jonathan. April 12, 2008. Sun Giant. Billboard. 120 . 15 . 42.
  5. Sun Giant . liner notes . . . 2008 . SPCD 781.
  6. Web site: Chart Log UK - 1994–2010 - Adam F – FYA . Official Zobbel Website . Tobias Zywietz . March 24, 2023.