Seattle's Foxes rock the Palais

Rating: 4/5

Palais Theatre, January 6

THERE are times when listening to Seattle sextet Fleet Foxes it's hard to believe founding member and frontman Robin Pecknold is just 25, his bandmates about the same. Together they create music reminiscent of the best harmonies from the '60s and '70s, with musicianship that experienced folk/rock bands many years older would dream of creating.

Pecknold and guitarist Skye Skjelset first met in high school and the band was gradually pulled together over several years, resulting so far in a stellar EP and two acclaimed albums, including last year's Helplessness Blues.

Opening songs The Plains/Bitter Dancer, Mykonos and English House were greeted enthusiastically with Pecknold and those well-honed harmonies starring early. Morgan Henderson switches from upright bass to flute to guitar and fiddle with ease. In between songs, drummer Josh Tillman was the only one to break in with light-hearted observations; Pecknold was a picture of concentration, tuning his guitar, adjusting his amp, always readying himself.

Blue Spotted Tail with just Pecknold on stage was among the highlights before the band returned to complete the near-two-hour performance with Grown Ocean and Helplessness Blues.