Music Reviews
Artist:
FoalsTitle:
AntidotesLabel:
Transgressive RecordsWebsite:
http://www.myspace.com/foals
Foals have quickly established themselves as Britain’s most innovative new band. Deciding to leave their breakthrough single “Hummer” out of this album also makes them either Britain’s bravest or most naïve band. In any case we expected something individual and this debut from the Oxford masterminds is nothing short that. What we didn’t expect is the softer and more laid back sound that somehow doesn’t sound like Bloc Party on acid like their earlier demo’s suggested. “Antidotes” injects our senses with a more ambient fusion of glitchy guitars and stimulating differing time signatures apparent on tracks such as “Red Sox Pugie” and “Olympic Airwaves.” Previously released singles “Cassius” and “Balloons” add to the balance as more fast-paced spiky guitar outings but still in keeping with the math rock echo. Just when you think you’ve got their raw, dance-punk sound sussed they surprise you with something much more compressed. Yes it’s not the abrasive uncompromising sound we were expecting but it’s still easily the year’s best debut so far.
