Torches Album Review

         Today I'm going to review Foster the People's debut album, Torches. For those of you who don't know them, Foster the People is a new indie band out of LA. The band is led by founder and musical genius, Mark Foster. Other band members include bassist, Cubbie Fink, and drummer Mark Pontius. What I really like about this album is how every song is upbeat. Listening to this album will immediately put you in a great mood. Although Foster the People is defined as a indie rock band, all of their music has a great beat, and with it's beat makes great dance music as well. The number 1 hit on this album is obviously "Pumped Up Kicks". "Pumped Up Kicks" peaked at number 1 on the billboards and also won song of the year as well as top rock song in 2011. There are many other gems to be found on this album though; the first of which is "Helena Beat," the album's opening track. This songs is probably the "danciest" of the album, and its beat is definitely a strong way to start the album. The next track I liked was "Don't Stop (Colour on the Walls); this song, in my opinion, is better better than "Pumped Kicks' and very underrated. My favorite lyrics on the album come from "Houdini;" with lyrics like "Rise above gonna start the war/Whacha want whacha need whacha come here for/Well an eye for an eye and an F for fight/Takin me down is a prisoners rightGot shackles on my wings on tight," I found the lyrics to be very clever and had a lot of interesting hooks. Finally, my favorite song on the album, "Call It What You Want." (Featured is video game, FIFA 12) I think this is the most complete track, having the best combination of lyrics, instrumentation, and catchiness. Honaorable mentions are "Warrant" and "Waste." Overall, I would give this album a 7.5. I am in love with this album, and can't get enough of the Foster the People sound, but I still think something's missing. A very solid album, and I look forward to see what's the come from Mark Foster and crew.

(music video of Don't Stop (Colour on the Walls) shown above)