Despite personnel changes since this 2008 release, songs from the five-track EP will stand the test of time as signature sounds of the indie folk group from Seattle.

* Sun Giant album art (credit: Sub Pop Records); said to be a combination of two photographs taken by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky

* Fleet Foxes (left to right – Casey Wescott, Christian Wargo, Robin Pecknold, Nicholas Peterson and Skyler Skjelset) (credit: Herb Music)

Sun Giant, released through Sub Pop and Bella Union, was originally supposed to be a tour-only release, but listeners absolutely loved what they were hearing and demanded more.

Pitchfork Media named Sun Giant the #1 Album of the Year, along with the self-titled debut, which was released that June. The group orchestrated 39 minutes of material that teetered on the folk, indie, country and classic rock genres.

Pitchfork Media on Sun Giant: “It’s a sovereign work, a statement EP, supremely crafted and confident”

Hauntingly beautiful, church-like harmonies (which feature the whole group) can be found throughout the EP, but especially on the title track. The group sings, “What a life I lead in the summer / What a life I lead in the spring / What a life I lead when the wind did breeze /  What a life I lead in the spring.” The listener is musically drifted about in the opening tune, with the quoted lyrics evoking a carefree, yet intriguing draw to listen. The lead singer Pecknold hums through the last 45 seconds while accompanied by some strumming from Skjelset.

The second track, “Drops in the River,” takes each portion of the song to add in instruments, leading to a powerful classic rock drive. The introduction of the song features Skjelset using a violin bow to achieve some ominous noise behind Pecknold’s opening lyrics. “Days are just drops in the river to be left always” speaks of things that have come and gone that are out of one’s control.

The EP’s arguably most “rock” song would be “English House,” a dazzling, string-filled tune that is outfitted with harmony starting from the first few seconds. A mandolin backbeat played by Skjelset reinforces time over a boomy kick drum and toms. Some subtle organ (Wescott) supports and leads in to the song’s most harmonious moment of “My love.” The band’s sounds, instrumentation and even looks are said to be similar to those of the 70s.

“Mykonos” tells about frustrations you can feel with the ones you love the most. Nicholas Peterson and his almost bombastic work with the percussion behind the album really play into Fleet Foxes’ almost ‘vintage’ sound, especially at that time.

Just a lone Pecknold and guitar comprise the last song, “Innocent Son.” Its somber quality is quite the emotional choice as a closer to the EP.

Fleet Foxes’ Sun Giant was most definitely a step in the right direction for the Grammy-nominated indie folk icon of a group.