Foals

Review?
Simply: WOW!
That's just it!
listen to it!
BUY IT!
ACTUALLY BUY TWO! Just in case! hahaha

I saw Foals live last weekend (more on that in a bit) and immediately went out and bought their debut album. Foals has created quite a buzz in their home country of England on the strength of early singles like "Hummer" and "Matheletics", and finally in Spring, 2008, the debut album arrived.

"Antidotes" (14 tracks, including 2 bonus tracks; 53 min.) starts off a bit tentative with the misleading sound of "The French Open" but then immediately finds traction with "Cassius" (2nd UK single), followed by a blazing "Red Socks Pugie" (3rd UK single). The highlights keep on coming, including ""Balloons" (1st UK single), and even better the 1-2 knock-out punch of "Heavy Water" and "Two Steps Twice", the absolute highlights of the album. Ican't stop listening to this album, and that is saying a lot. After a 54 sec. gap (which is credited somehow as a "track") following the proper 11 tracks of the album, this US edition also includes 2 bonus tracks, the afore-mentioned early singles "Hummer" and "Mathletics", which fit in perfectly with the proper album. In all, this is quite the debut album, just outstanding.

Last weekend I was at the Monolith Festival at the fabulous Red Rocks outdoor arena just outside of Denver, and Foals played an early afternoon set that simply blew me away, bringing a lot of the tracks from this album, none better than "Heavy Water". Their set was the highlight for me of that 2 day festival, bar none. "Antidotes" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you wonder where you can hear these guys, check out WOXY ("The Future of Rock and Roll, BAM!), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country, period.

I just happened upon the Foals in a completely random acquisition of some mp3s. I loved the album so much, that I purchased the physical CD to support the band. Indie music most definitely, but unique in the sense that every song on this album is wonderful! This album is one of those rarities where the album is a complete joy to listen to. You won't want to listen to only one song on here. The entire album is fun and upbeat. I listen to this at the gym, when traveling, in my car or just at home. I really think that the Foals are going to hit it big in the US in all due time. After discovering this album about 4 months ago, I have been really dying to see them live. This type of music is the stuff that would be even more enjoyable in a live setting. I can't wait to see what else comes out of this group! They are definitely a new favorite.

WOW! This is the most exciting album I have had the pleasure to bump into in years! Where to begin? First, I am a drummer...it has been an even longer time since a "new" drummer on the scene has blown me away, not only with his skills, but the creative angles he comes up with rhymically...outstanding! On track 7, he just gets stanky!!! This band takes the 80's retro comeback to a whole new level...they don't come off as contrived, they sound like a tight-knit unit that's getting it's groove on. The songs are catchy, but in a challenging, have to listen to it a couple of times to catch the hook kind of way...I really love this album! I always try to include references to other artists/bands...this will be easy and hard for this band/album...I hear traces of Talking Heads "Remain in Light" ie groovy rhythm section, funky basslines, rhymic-yet static guitar w/ lots of reverb and delay at times reminding of The blessed Chameleons, PIL ie chanting vocals, Hood ie glitchy electronica ala Cold House, Steve Reich ie use of repetition, Adam and the Ants "Kings of the Wild Frontier" tribal rhythms/chanting vocals, Polyrock ie well, it just reminds me of them, and even Devo at times just cause. All of this combined into an original blend...check this album out..make no judgement until you've listened to the whole thing and it will blow you away if you are into original, New Wavish sounding music. Just GREAT!!! PS For us fans of this kind of music...remember the first couple of times you listened to Interpol's "Turn on the Bright Lights" and you were transported immediately back to "Strange Times" and "Heaven Up Here", but you felt that Interpol was not faking the sound, that it was REAL...you will have the same reaction to this album. Album of the year...hands down, no contest!

I can't believe how much I have become addicted to this album. I first listened to it while driving on the NJ Turnpike, a long, boring trip that I must take twice a week during the school year. About halfway through the album, I thought it was too repetitive or, at least, the songs seemed too similar. But then things clicked. My favorite tracks have to be "Two Steps, Twice" "Big Big Love (Fig. 2)" and "Tron."

This is a great driving album. Enjoy!

Review?
Simply: WOW!
That's just it!
listen to it!
BUY IT!
ACTUALLY BUY TWO! Just in case! hahaha

I saw Foals live last weekend (more on that in a bit) and immediately went out and bought their debut album. Foals has created quite a buzz in their home country of England on the strength of early singles like "Hummer" and "Matheletics", and finally in Spring, 2008, the debut album arrived.

"Antidotes" (14 tracks, including 2 bonus tracks; 53 min.) starts off a bit tentative with the misleading sound of "The French Open" but then immediately finds traction with "Cassius" (2nd UK single), followed by a blazing "Red Socks Pugie" (3rd UK single). The highlights keep on coming, including ""Balloons" (1st UK single), and even better the 1-2 knock-out punch of "Heavy Water" and "Two Steps Twice", the absolute highlights of the album. Ican't stop listening to this album, and that is saying a lot. After a 54 sec. gap (which is credited somehow as a "track") following the proper 11 tracks of the album, this US edition also includes 2 bonus tracks, the afore-mentioned early singles "Hummer" and "Mathletics", which fit in perfectly with the proper album. In all, this is quite the debut album, just outstanding.

Last weekend I was at the Monolith Festival at the fabulous Red Rocks outdoor arena just outside of Denver, and Foals played an early afternoon set that simply blew me away, bringing a lot of the tracks from this album, none better than "Heavy Water". Their set was the highlight for me of that 2 day festival, bar none. "Antidotes" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you wonder where you can hear these guys, check out WOXY ("The Future of Rock and Roll, BAM!), the internet-only station that brings the best indie-music in the country, period.

I just happened upon the Foals in a completely random acquisition of some mp3s. I loved the album so much, that I purchased the physical CD to support the band. Indie music most definitely, but unique in the sense that every song on this album is wonderful! This album is one of those rarities where the album is a complete joy to listen to. You won't want to listen to only one song on here. The entire album is fun and upbeat. I listen to this at the gym, when traveling, in my car or just at home. I really think that the Foals are going to hit it big in the US in all due time. After discovering this album about 4 months ago, I have been really dying to see them live. This type of music is the stuff that would be even more enjoyable in a live setting. I can't wait to see what else comes out of this group! They are definitely a new favorite.

WOW! This is the most exciting album I have had the pleasure to bump into in years! Where to begin? First, I am a drummer...it has been an even longer time since a "new" drummer on the scene has blown me away, not only with his skills, but the creative angles he comes up with rhymically...outstanding! On track 7, he just gets stanky!!! This band takes the 80's retro comeback to a whole new level...they don't come off as contrived, they sound like a tight-knit unit that's getting it's groove on. The songs are catchy, but in a challenging, have to listen to it a couple of times to catch the hook kind of way...I really love this album! I always try to include references to other artists/bands...this will be easy and hard for this band/album...I hear traces of Talking Heads "Remain in Light" ie groovy rhythm section, funky basslines, rhymic-yet static guitar w/ lots of reverb and delay at times reminding of The blessed Chameleons, PIL ie chanting vocals, Hood ie glitchy electronica ala Cold House, Steve Reich ie use of repetition, Adam and the Ants "Kings of the Wild Frontier" tribal rhythms/chanting vocals, Polyrock ie well, it just reminds me of them, and even Devo at times just cause. All of this combined into an original blend...check this album out..make no judgement until you've listened to the whole thing and it will blow you away if you are into original, New Wavish sounding music. Just GREAT!!! PS For us fans of this kind of music...remember the first couple of times you listened to Interpol's "Turn on the Bright Lights" and you were transported immediately back to "Strange Times" and "Heaven Up Here", but you felt that Interpol was not faking the sound, that it was REAL...you will have the same reaction to this album. Album of the year...hands down, no contest!

I can't believe how much I have become addicted to this album. I first listened to it while driving on the NJ Turnpike, a long, boring trip that I must take twice a week during the school year. About halfway through the album, I thought it was too repetitive or, at least, the songs seemed too similar. But then things clicked. My favorite tracks have to be "Two Steps, Twice" "Big Big Love (Fig. 2)" and "Tron."

This is a great driving album. Enjoy!