Foals - Antidotes
Rating
RIYL
BattlesBloc Party
Minus the Bear
Q and Not U
Tracklist
1. The French Open2. Cassius
3. Red Socks Pugie
4. Olympic Airways
5. Electric Bloom
6. Balloons
7. Heavy Water
8. Two Steps, Twice
9. Big Big Love (Fig. 2)
10. Like Swimming
11. Tron
12. Hummer
13. Mathletics
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Finally Rolling Stone gets it right! Classifying Foals as an amalgam of the blips and bleeps of Battles and the dance-rock of Bloc Party, the indie-challenged media giant accurately described what Foals are up to on Antidotes. There's not much else to say than the five-piece from Oxford, England accomplishes this difficult fusion with elan, creating fun anthems replete with deliciously repetitive refrains, more-than-competent melodycraft, and chordless guitar work meant to evoke insects. Rather than giving an extended track-by-track synopsis of the album, I’ll give brief notes on each so this party doesn’t get unnecessarily dissected.
Going with the tennis theme already established by the band’s press shoots, the album opens with “French Open,” a cry of “wasting games / racquets, matches,” and an orchestral commencement, delivered by afrobeat band Antibalas, who also play on four other tracks, seemingly marking the initiation of this storied tournament. “Cassius” goes full-force for dance-rock and tasteful horns make this one perfect single territory. “Red Sock Pugie” takes us further into the ether with a more expansive arrangement, a Battles-esque drum start, and ghostly synth strains. The chorus of “Oh hell no, these vessels are heart swells of, which make us explode,” is ridiculously catchy yet heartfelt because of how emotionally the entire package is conveyed.
“Olympic Airways” analogously speaks plaintively of going to “an aviary far from home,” and I’ll be damned if the guitars didn’t evoke frenzied birds at one point. “Electric Blooms” is a minor key number using words like “useless and another” to ostensibly comment on the excessive proliferation of urban advancement. “Balloons” is another highlight and the song which Sub Pop offers for free download on its site. The track marries horns to dance-rock with furious and nonpareil precision, and features the incessant chant of “We ride balloons on this fuel called!”
“Heavy Water” certainly creates the mood of the title and is structured around stuttering drums, distant, swimming lyrics, and dexterous guitar picks. “Two Steps, Twice” begins slowly but quickly turns into a jittery rocker with the eventual buildup chorus of “bup pa duh bup pa duh bup pa duh.” “Big Big Love (Fig. 2)” is undoubtedly the most melodic song on the album: while not rocking as much as other songs, it’s truly beautiful how the listener feels as if he or she is swimming into and with the song as it swirls around him or her. Synthesizers are used lovingly and expertly here and the amount of echo makes the song seem to transcend itself.
“Like Swimming” is an instrumental interlude and another synergistic effort of horns and guitar, this time featuring hand claps as well. The horns seem slightly out of tune but somehow they sound right. And finally we have the electronic heavy “Tron,” ironically talking about evading a system. The track does its job of encapsulating everything that makes Antidotes an engaging and ecstatic listen: horns aplenty, jabbing guitars and bass, and infectious refrains draped in melody.
Bottom Line: Antidotes is as good of a debut as I’ve heard recently, and in listening one might think that Foals were seasoned vets. For me, the record accomplished what I wanted from Q and Not U’s Power, when that post-hardcore DC outfit finally fully embraced dance-rock, for aside from “Wonderful People” and a few other tracks I count that record as a disappointment. Well, thankfully from the lyrics, melodies, and musicianship there’s nothing of a downer about Antidotes. I defy anyone who doesn’t enjoy Battles, Bloc Party, or both to not enjoy Foals. Most songs are at least four minutes long so you’ll get your catchy pop fix as well brushing up on your math.
--Stephen Chamberlain
Comments
Leeds, England
On a side note: Do you review stuff we get sent in, or are you just reviewing anything you like- cos I haven't seen most of your last few submissions up in the review pool.
Manchester, England
Leeds, England
Ohh, shit, they have talent, though ;).
Manchester, England
Markham, ON
Pretty good stuff.
P.S. This is what the alphabet would look like if you removed Q and R.
Manchester, England
Colorado Springs, CO
Fixed ;)
UK
Spot on. Foals aren't great. Especially their: "LOOK AT US, WE WEAR OUR GUITARS SO HIGH UP LIKE KNOBS, AREN'T WE TRENDY!"
Having said that, they aren't bad live, although every song sounds the same, so they get a bit boring if you listen to a whole set.
I hate fans of Foals more than I hate Foals though.
Toronto, Ontario
"Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative."
MySpace / Facebook
Beer Blog
Manchester, England
i hear that
SL, UT
I'd give this album a 3.75 probably.
Trollin' with my homies.
Los Angeles
Rating system sucks for sure.
Minnesota
Find me EVERYWHERE:
So true.
Beer Blog
Los Angeles
lawls.
Toronto, Ontario
Simmer down, Cursed is still good.
"Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative."
MySpace / Facebook
How do people not understand that different reviews are written by different writers?
These dudes don't have a fucking conference call after each review...
Manchester, England
we do have a weekly raquetball game though.
Markham, ON
P.S. This is what the alphabet would look like if you removed Q and R.
Los Angeles
Oh, I understand.
I was just being an asshole :).