Foster The People - Call It What You Want

"We'll make a world of our own"

Foster The People's debut EP was one of my favorite releases of the first part of the year. Three perfect pop songs, no filler. Unfortunately, I'm not as enamored by the full album. Those three tracks stick out like crazy on a full-length that's more often forgettable than exciting. This is, of course, my opinion. I know plenty that have loved the album. And even though I'm not blown away, there's some nice stuff on there. Call It What You Want would be my pick for next single (if the freaking awesome Helena Beat--their best song by a mile--isn't). It's quirky/funky mid-tempo beat and heavily repeated hook remind me of some of the genre bending alternative music of the 90's. It's a nice, laid-back track for the summer. And while I wish that the album as a whole hadn't been so laid-back, I'll easily add this song to the EP and hope that the next release will be even better.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Foster The People - Helena Beat

"I tie my hands up to the chair"

Foster the People have seemed to be branded with the “what MGMT would sound like if they didn’t go all experimental with their second album” slogan by the indie world. When I heard that, I was instantly intrigued. I loved MGMT’s debut album, hated their follow-up. And from the tracks released so far on their EP, Foster the People could end up releasing an album that’s better than either. They are decidedly indie, but with a far poppier side than most of their peers. The songs are heavy on electronic elements, but that never ever comes before an excellent melody. Pumped Up Kicks may end up being the breakout single you hear playing in all the “cool“ stores (it’s so catchy that it borders on novelty), but I prefer the other tracks on the EP. Helena Beat, especially, has one hell of a chorus. It mixes elements of electro, glam and straight up, sunny pop to create something irresistible. Along with Penguin Prison--who these guys remind me of--this is the indie band to watch in 2011.

Foster The People - Helena Beat by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.