OVERALL RATING: 4.5 / 5
Blake - Antidotes, the first full album release from the UK-based band Foals is not average. The band sticks to their experimental math rock roots, using plenty of atypical rhythm structures throughout. I’ll admit that the first time I listened to the album, a lot of the songs sounded the same - but after a few listens I could really appreciate each one. Overall, I give this album a 4/5, but here are some clear 5 star songs (Olympic Airways, Big Big Love, Hummer). Overall favorite… Big Big Love, for that sick intro. Foals is signed to the Sub Pop record label who’s lineup also includes Band of Horses, the Helio Sequence, and the Shins.
Dan - Let’s start things off by answering the obvious question first: A foal is a horse that is one year of age or younger. Foals, on the other hand, is a five-man Oxford-based outfit that is no longer a secret thanks to their superb debut album, Antidotes. Either way you look at it, the band is young, on track, and leading the proverbial indie rock horse race. Moving along, the record kicks off with a sprawling track [The French Open] that eventually tears into a crescendo of math-rock beats before seguing perfectly into the band’s first single, Cassius. Utilizing a myriad of instruments that include horns, synths, and laptops throughout, the band has created what I refer to as a “musical epic”. The mixing and arrangement are perfect and succesfully take the listener through a journey of emotions that can only be achieved via well articulated sound. I’m giving this record 5/5 stars and expect big things from them in the future — starting with their performance at Lollapalooza this year. Personal favorite tracks: Olympic Airways, Balloons, Big Big Love, and Hummer.
Phil - Solid album. I feel like I’m listening to Bloc Party, The Editors, and a Sega Genesis all at the same time. Combine this jam with massive Bose headphones and a pair of Converse All Stars and this classic instantly makes me forget about Randy In the Morning on shitty Connecticut radio. Try searching Foals on YouTube to check out the behind the scenes creativity of these guys 4/5 stars.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Kris Lowes // Apr 22, 2008 at 1:06 pm
There is some serious rating inflation going on on this website right now……4.5 out of 5? One album or two a year should get that high of a rating, and I think you can agree that this isn’t that kind of album…Either expand your range of ratings or make a 3.5 a good album ranking..My thoughts anyway…
2 Blake // Apr 22, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Lowes, did you even listen to it?
3 Kris Lowes // Apr 22, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Yea I did….any other questions…? The album is good, agreed. The Foals have a unique sound and the way they climb scales in their songs are enjoyable to hear on a song by song basis. But this is an album review, and one of my critques in judging an album is that, takes as a whole, it makes sense why all these songs are on the same CD. Great albums show progression and cohesion throughout them. Their sound is good, but if it was truly original, you wouldn’t be album to compare it to much of anything. Having a sound is fine, most good bands have a sound, but I think what seperates great from good is the ability to explore the sound they have. Interpol has one of the most characteristic sounds in the industry, but all their sounds somehow don’t sound the same. Also, if you make the decision to stick to a very tight knit type of music, then I expect some emotion or momentum coming from the lyrics and lead singer Yannis Philippakis doesn’t offer much in singing ablilty or song writing. I could listen to a Band of Horses song that I have never heard before and tell you that it is a Band of Horses song before Ben Bridwell moves his lips…Why are they a great band? Their sound combines with songwriting to give the listener something…When I listen to Antidotes, I don’t feel like I come away with anything. Albums that get a 5/5 should either change the industry (aka OK Computer) or are the best of their genre (aka Funeral). This album is neither. My opinion is 3/5. I respect your guys opinions, but if your going to rate things, consistency is important…
4 Blake // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Nice comment, you make great points. Why don’t you just participate in the review next time?
By the way… anyone have suggestions for the next album to review?
5 Tad // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:18 pm
It wouldn’t be the indie rock scene without passionate rebuttals of every review. . . though in this case, Kris makes a great point.
I like the Foals album, but I would classify it as good, not great. This is the sort of sound that I’ll listen to a few times but it’s not going on my permanent rotation.
Running a review site is not easy. You’ve got to mind your 4’s and 5’s or you’ll devalue your currency. Just ask Robert Mugabe. (too soon?)
6 Kris Lowes // Apr 22, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Freaking Mugabe..give it up already…
7 Dan // Apr 22, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I love it! We need more passion in music… and here we go. First off, my review was more of a recommendation rather than a definite assertion of the albums intrinsic value within the industry. Next review, I’ll weigh my ratings on the conceptual ‘OK Computer’ scale.
Secondly, great comments thus far. My only point to add to Mr. Lowes’ comment, concerning the quality of lyrics or lack thereof: Foals, like Sigur Ros, Crystal Castles and many other avant garde musicians, have architected a style of music where the lyrics/vocals act as a physical instrument. The goal is to provide the listener with an encapsulated sound that functions as a whole. I give Antidotes high marks for its successful exploitation of new ideas within the genre (see also, Minus the Bear, Battles, and the Mars Volta) and would highly recommend everyone check it out.
Oh yeah and I give this comments thread an overall rating of 4.4 / 5.
8 Blake // Apr 22, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Lowes, this Foals album is more exciting than the NBA.
9 ryan // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:42 am
I think that getting excited about an album is fine…
Sometimes when you first hear a sound/band/album you wanna rate it 10/10 just because of the way you first react to it. Music forces a response and thats one of the best parts of music. A persons judgment of an album may change from day to day…in my opinion thats ok.
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