Album of the Month: FOALS - ANTIDOTES

I've been waiting to write about this band for some time now but I thought I would wait until around the album release date for reasons that are evading me at the moment. The downside of this is that most of you have probably already heard of Foals, sampled their music and decided whether you like 'em or not. If you are one of the select few who have not done so and maybe have never come across them (where have you been?), consider this another chance of many that are, have been and probably will be available to you.

So what's the deal? The band is a five-piece from Oxford, England. The music is danceable with heavy emphasis on the rhythm section but the guitars are there too. Their genre is often labeled as 'math-rock,' a reference to the complex rhythm structures and vocal styling’s. While the history of Foals is by no means long, it has been an eventful few months. Last year saw the band release several singles including 'Hummer,' 'Mathletics' and 'Balloons,' a song that got them some attention.

Foals were eventually signed to Sub Pop in North America and will release their debut album Antidotes through them and on Transgressive Records in the U.K., where it has already been released. We get it on this side of the pond on April 8th. All of the songs here are pretty great and I can't think of a sleeper amongst them. Antidotes starts off with a bang, opening with the energy-filled ‘French Open.’ ‘Cassius’ was a great choice for a first single. Not only is it a great song but it also gives you a feel of exactly what Foals are about; but don’t ask me to summarize, it seems like an impossible task at the moment.

Anyways, the band will be touring for what seems like the rest of their lives. Check out their MySpace page for a list of dates. The band has also made two live recordings (‘Hummer ’and ‘Two Steps’) available for free download at their official website. Both were recorded from their show at Astoria in London.

Tracklisting
1. The French Open
2. Cassius
3. Red Socks Pugie
4. Olympics Airways
5. The Race For Radio Supremacy
6. Balloons
7. Heavy Water
8. Two Steps, Twice
9. Big Big Love (Fig.2)
10. Like Swimming
11. Tron

Download: Foals - French Open [mp3]
MySpace: Foals
Foals: Official Website

Buy Antidotes

Album of the Month: THE PIPETTES - WE ARE THE PIPETTES

The album has been out for well over a year in other parts of the world but tomorrow, The Pipettes' We Are the Pipettes, will finally be released in North America. It's taken too long, I think I've been listening to it for six months now. However, since many international artists are not getting a proper release here nowadays, let's just be grateful that The Pipettes are.

And that's because their debut album is FANTASTIC! Really. I don't have a bad thing to say about it or them. I also don't have anything new to say about their music that has not been said before. Yes, they are a throwback to the 60's girl-group pop era. Yes, the album has a retro sound. Yes, it has all been done before. Yet, We Are the Pipettes is still a modern indie pop album. It's lively and spirited and refreshing. You'll listen to it, quickly learn the lyrics to it, sing-along to it and probably have a dance to it (In the privacy of your own room, of course. Not me though, I'll probably pull a muscle or something).

The North American version has been slightly tweaked. Besides the new album cover, there are two new tracks that are not available anywhere else. Sadly, the older songs have been remastered for some reason. I'm not sure why. I mean, why change a good thing? But I've heard the 'newer' versions and it's not a big deal, especially if this is your first time hearing their songs.

I cannot recommend The Pipettes enough. Pick up the album and if you get a chance, get a hold of some of their B-sides like, 'Really That Bad' and 'Guess Who Ran Off With the Milkman'. Both of those can be found on the 5 track EP, Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me but there are lots more floating around the web that are worth checking out.

Download [mp3]: The Pipettes- Judy
MySpace: The Pipettes
The Pipettes: Official Webpage

Buy We Are The Pipettes

Album of the Month: Athlete - Beyond the Neighbourhood

Athlete are releasing their third studio album this month called Beyond the Neighbourhood. It is actually out today in the UK but sadly, we in North America have to wait until September 25th to get our hands on it. Oh well, its only a couple of weeks away.

Anyways, the band's previous album, Tourist, went to #1 in the UK. So, how do a couple of boys from Deptford, London respond to such success. By putting out an 'organically experimental' album, of course! I'm actually not to sure what I mean by that but this album is amazing nonetheless. And it will only take one listen to fall in love with it and also realize that its quite a different sound for Athlete. You won't be able to put your finger on exactly what is different but you will recognize the change. Yet, despite being experimental, the album manages to remain distinctively Athlete.

Beyond the Neighbourhood opens with the stellar instrumental-electronic track entitled 'In Between 2 States,' which acts as a lead-in to their catchy first single 'Hurricane.' Other standout tracks are 'Flying Over Bus Stops,' 'Best Not to Think About It' and 'Airport Disco.' But make sure you don't skip any songs on Beyond the Neighbourhood. All are single-worthy and therefore, there are no filler tracks. Once again, it is time to embrace Athlete.

Tracklisting

1. In Between 2 States – 2:31
2. Hurricane – 3:13
3. Tokyo – 3:32
4. Airport Disco – 4:58
5. It's Not Your Fault – 4:18
6. The Outsiders" – 5:21
7. Flying Over Bus Stops – 4:28
8. Second Hand Stores - 5:13
9. In The Library – 3:04
10. Best Not To Think About It – 4:11
11. This Is What I Sound Like - 4:35

Download (mp3): Athlete - Hurricane
MySpace:Athlete
Athlete: Official Web Site

Buy Beyond the Neighbourhood