Helplessness Blues

<i>Helplessness Blues</i> refutes any suggestions that Fleet Foxes are mere nostalgists. While the past looms large, the Seattle band’s searching frontman Robin Pecknold confronts the future head-on. Made during a break-up, <i>Helplessness Blues</i> dismantles success (“Montezuma”) and purpose (the title track), to a diverse soundtrack of raga (“Sim Sala Bim”), spiny psychedelia (“Bedouin Dress”) and ambitious <i>Astral Weeks</i>-inspired song-suites in “The Plains / Bitter Dancer” and “The Shrine / An Argument”.