Foals - Antidotes

Artist: Foals
Album: Antidotes
Genre: Post-Punk Revival
Rating: 4.5 of 5


From the opening hum of horns to the closing hum of horns this is an album filled with a great energy. There isn't any overdrive here, nor is there an abundance of power chords but as a group no one instrument needs to overtake the others.

Rather than seek their great energy from a single blazing instrument or vocals that drown out the band, the Foals use many instruments with short and quick riffs to create an almost saturated sound. Just listening to the first two songs, "The French Open" and "Cassius", fills your speakers with sharp staccato guitars and backing horns while the vocals blend in with a great melody. Although the horns do not make it on all the tracks, they are a great addition.

Antidotes also contains some great apexes. The entire band slowly and methodically drive a dynamic landscape that easily flows over rises. A long instrumental piece in "Two Steps, Twice" is a great example of a long and determined build back up to the energy that is abundant in the album. "Balloons" also quite successful simulates the experience of floating through currents in the air.

I must say that I was quite impressed with the way that the Foals created a danceable beat without using any fancy effects or instruments. The tracks here create an inspiring listen.