Torches by Foster the People (CD, 2011)

Sony Music

4547366064278

25050122248

Foster the People

CD

2011

Torches

Rock

Foster the People's 2011 full-length debut Torches expands upon the indie electronic outfit's '80s synth-meets-'60s psych pop sound. Buoyed by the online buzz surrounding the band's single "Pumped Up Kicks," Foster the People have crafted a batch of similarly catchy, electro-lite dance-pop that fits nicely next to such contemporaries as MGMT and Phoenix. To these ends you get the aforementioned anthem "Pumped Up Kicks," as well as the hypnotic disco hop track "Call It What You Want." Equally compelling are such deep cuts as the yearning, melancholy ballad "I Would Do Anything for You" and the foot stomping arcade game-sounding anthem "Houdini." Burning with a hot track intensity somewhere in between early evening rave-up and late-night club afterglow, Torches is a beacon of melodic dance-pop love. ~ Matt Collar

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Rolling Stone (p.96) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[G]enre-juggling, bedroom-dance-floor magic cut with moody-boy lyrics..." Spin (p.98) - "[L]ocomotive live beats and star-crossed guitars spar with perpetually pulsating synths." Entertainment Weekly (p.81) - "[L]ike the best dance parties, there are several opportunities to shake, sweat, and hug your neighbor." -- Grade: B Q (Magazine) (p.119) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[M]elodies are doused in perky percussion and bashed pianos, with scratchy riffs, big basslines and scattered electronics thrown in to boot." Mojo (Publisher) (p.94) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[S]linky debut single 'Pumped Up Kicks' neatly splices Steve Miller Band's 'The Joker' with Peter Bjorn and John's 2006 whistlefest 'Young Folks'..." Pitchfork (Website) - "The songs dodge and weave stylistically, avoiding perceived critical jabs by scavenging pop history for new old sounds." Clash (Magazine) - "There's a fuzzy warmth to 'Torches'....This is a feel-good hit..."

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