1. Blue Blood
2. Miami
3. Total Life Forever
4. Black Gold
5. Spanish Sahara
6. This Orient
7. Fugue
8. After Glow
9. Alabaster
10. 2 Trees
11. What Remains
English 5 piece Foals are back with their second full length LP 'Total Life Forever'. After the wonderful debut album 'Antidotes', released back in March 2008, the follow-up was always going to be a tough one. Would it be another case of second album syndrome or more of the same? As per usual, songs were to be found on the internet prior to the full album release. I made sure to avoid these until I had the full works as one.
The album opens up with 'Blue Blood' and a perfect example of how far the band have come since the debut. Immediately the vocals from front man Yannis (Philippakis) sound much better than on the first album. The guitar picking and ringing is present as we are treated to a slow building introductory song. It all kicks in and the strong presence of the music over lyrics can be heard as the bass takes rhythm, and centre stage, as the parts all work together. 'Miami' follows and opens with a hip-hop style sounding beat. Quick guitar and deep bass will keep your head bopping. The drums sound great and never seem to miss a beat, despite the speed in which they are going. I don't hear many keyboards on the album, but a sound I am happy for the band to be without. Title track 'Total Life Forever' brings listeners back to the sound they are used to from the first album and does not disappoint. Songs like 'Black Gold', '2 Trees', 'This Orient' and 'What Remains' are typically decent album tracks but nothing of major significance while others such as 'Fugue' and 'Alabaster' make up the traditional slow side of the band's music. The band seem to have gone for a more 'progressive' sound than the first album and this is very evident in the likes of 'After Glow' and, my firm favourite, 'Spanish Sahara'. This would also be true for the opening track too. Long building crescendos of musical wonder. This is where I feel Foals are at their best.
So, much the same as the first album in some ways and in some ways something completely different. Foals are taking their music that little bit further and trying out something new. The prog idea works for them as long as they keep it relatively simple. I don't see their need for additional samples and machinery when I can hear them do it so well without.
For me I really enjoyed this album. Great for dancing to and no doubt would be great to see, and hear, live. And to answer the original question...this is by no means a poor second album. It may be slightly different and a bit bolder than the first but this one can hold its own. I know I will be looking forward to more of this, or more of 'Antidotes'. Either way, it's all good.
The album opens up with 'Blue Blood' and a perfect example of how far the band have come since the debut. Immediately the vocals from front man Yannis (Philippakis) sound much better than on the first album. The guitar picking and ringing is present as we are treated to a slow building introductory song. It all kicks in and the strong presence of the music over lyrics can be heard as the bass takes rhythm, and centre stage, as the parts all work together. 'Miami' follows and opens with a hip-hop style sounding beat. Quick guitar and deep bass will keep your head bopping. The drums sound great and never seem to miss a beat, despite the speed in which they are going. I don't hear many keyboards on the album, but a sound I am happy for the band to be without. Title track 'Total Life Forever' brings listeners back to the sound they are used to from the first album and does not disappoint. Songs like 'Black Gold', '2 Trees', 'This Orient' and 'What Remains' are typically decent album tracks but nothing of major significance while others such as 'Fugue' and 'Alabaster' make up the traditional slow side of the band's music. The band seem to have gone for a more 'progressive' sound than the first album and this is very evident in the likes of 'After Glow' and, my firm favourite, 'Spanish Sahara'. This would also be true for the opening track too. Long building crescendos of musical wonder. This is where I feel Foals are at their best.
So, much the same as the first album in some ways and in some ways something completely different. Foals are taking their music that little bit further and trying out something new. The prog idea works for them as long as they keep it relatively simple. I don't see their need for additional samples and machinery when I can hear them do it so well without.
For me I really enjoyed this album. Great for dancing to and no doubt would be great to see, and hear, live. And to answer the original question...this is by no means a poor second album. It may be slightly different and a bit bolder than the first but this one can hold its own. I know I will be looking forward to more of this, or more of 'Antidotes'. Either way, it's all good.
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