Album Review: Foster The People- Supermodel With their 2011 debut record, Torches, Foster The People, led by frontman Mark Foster, exploded onto the mainstream charts. Their single Pumped Up Kicks became an expected hit in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and so they became a household name. Now with their follow-up, Supermodel, the band adopts a more serious and psychedelic tone while still sticking with their funky and 80s-inspired melodies. The album kicks off with the anthemic Are You What You Want to Be? in which we see Fosters first doubts about society. Its chorus is catchy and buzzing with synths. It sets a satisfying and upbeat tone for the record and following track Ask Yourself continues that. Once again, were able to see that Foster is questioning society more than ever. Lead single Coming of Age is another track dealing with the imperfection of society and how Foster is tired of it. Whats not tired, though, is the instrumentation on the whole record, and this track in particular. Theres more guitar on this record than there was on Torches and Supermodel benefits greatly from that. Nevermind is the first track on the record to feel tired. Mostly in the execution, the song lacks emotion. Musically, the song is still interesting, but vocally and lyrically, the song isnt fun or enjoyable to listen to. The electric, psych-tinged Pseudologia Fantastica is a highlight on the record. Blaring synths and electronics mix well with the psychedelic tone of the track. Lyrically, the song may be one of the strongest in Foster The Peoples catalog. It may sound like its all over the place at firs, but when it comes together in the songs chorus, theres no denying the genius of the track. Interlude track The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones is strange, featuring harmonized vocals of the three band members. This bleeds nicely into the funky Best Friend, a bass-driven track featuring horns and Fosters beautifully imperfect voice. Its ambition and catchiness, as well as the overall fun vibe it gives off, Best Friend serves as another Supermodel highlight. A Beginners Guide to Destroying the Moon is pure psychedelic gold. Fosters falsetto is all over the songs verses, while the choruses are practically spoken word. The whole track is interesting and it never lets up. Goats in Trees is, along with closer Fire Escape, the furthest weve seen the band go outside of their comfort zone. Both feature prominent acoustic guitar, which allows Foster to use his unique voice and take over. Goats features more psychedelic undertones, while Fire is mostly just Foster and an acoustic guitar. Sandwiched in between those is The Truth. As trippy as it is entertaining, the final product of The Truth is a no-holds-barred track that has Foster being his most honest about society. Instrumentally, the track is another great work from the band. Unlike some breakthrough bands who fall flat with their sophomore records, Foster The People are able to build off of their debut in a fantastic and complex manner. Supermodel is a record that sees the band going into newer territories outside of the dance-pop found on their debut. Its mature. Its self-aware with its lyrics and instrumentation. But most of all, its real. 4.75/5
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:57:58 +0000
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