Foals released their debut album 'Antidotes' in 2008 and were instantly popular with the british public reaching number 3 in the UK albums chart. Foals managed to bring something new to the table pioneering the MathRock genre and in doing so influencing a range of future bands. The bands second album 'Total Life Forever' showed the bands progression both as musicians and in maturity. Foals dropped the shouty approach they employed in Antidotes and singer Yannis adopted a more melodic style in his vocals. I also think it would be fair to say that the songs were better written and contained layers which made them more accessible to a wider audience. Not in the sense of selling out but the Math Rock movement was short lived and i think Foals were aware that due to their rise in popularity they would be playing bigger venues and thus would have to write songs for arenas. Personally 'Total Life Forever' was one of my favourite albums of 2010 so naturally i was very much looking forward to listening to 'Holy Fire'.
Prior to listening to the full album i had read that the band had cut down on the amount of weed they smoked, this was worrying. Sometimes bands or musicians work better and produce better stuff when on some substances. I'm not advocating the use of drugs but when they managed to produce such good albums when high why change a winning formula? these fears were quickly put to bed and read a bedtime story when i heard the first single 'Inhaler'. The first time i heard it i was sat in my cold overpriced Uni room probably eating a pack of salt and vinegar chipsticks, in other words bored out of my brain. I saw the video linked in a tweet and like a fat kid walking into a bakery, i was excited. My first thoughts as the intro started was yeah good tune if not a bit samey. The chorus caught me so off guard, such a big leap for them to add that heavier aspect to their repotoire, works a treat though. I fell in love and its no exaggeration for me to claim to have watched the music video 5 plus times a day. In a word, belter.
Anyway, as the album goes, i've always been a big fan of the instrumental opener something i feel isn't used enough. A big, big intro that sets the tone of the album and i'd say 'Prelude' does just that. I'm picturing it live maybe as the set opener, its the type of intro that is guaranteed to whip the crowd up. The next track 'Inhaler' obviously you know my thoughts on that 'and that's all i have to say about that' Forrest Gump. 'My Number' is a catchy little tune with a nice bit of backing vocals probably the type of song you need after 'Inhaler' had blown your socks moments before. For me its slightly reminiscent of the 80's as its got that funky twang to it but all the while keeping the type of guitar sounds we have grown to love from Foals. Definitely not a 'mosh pit' song but the type of song you won't be able to resist throwing shapes to. This is followed by 'Bad Habit' a song that could have easily been on their second album, not one of my favourites but its still a solid album song, just doesn't have the edginess that other songs on 'Holy Fire' have.'Everytime' kicks in with a techno-esque intro and some tribal sounding drum beats, a great combination. It lures you into believing you've got a massive drop coming at some point and the chorus just tickles that idea. The whole way through this song your anticipating the big breakdown climax. You could argue it does come towards the end but i would have liked it to be bigger fatter with a PH. 'Late Night' emphasises the progression in Foals. The vocals kick starting and leading the song, with the instruments providing a nice ambient sound in the background, complimenting the vocals beautifully. It builds up gradually to become a really nice ballad of sorts, the type of song 'Antidotes' lacked. Its a very mellow song but once again i challenge anyone to not have a shuffle. 'Out of the woods' has a more stereotypical intro, I like the way this song incorporates some instruments you don't tend hear in a Foals song, they blend well with the generic Foals sound. 'Milk and Black Spiders' easily the most striking song name i saw when looking at the track listing. I was hoping the strikingness of the title would spill out into the music and i wasn't disappointed. It keeps this sort of trickling guitar line achieved with delay the whole way through the song and maybe i'm just being weird but i personally felt it kept the rhythm perhaps a spider would when making its web. I realised i should probably go to bed when i felt like i was at a 4d cinema and could actually feel spiders crawling over me. Definitely one of my highlights of the album though this song. 'Providence' starts with the echoey vocals accompanied by the punky guitar strums. throughout the song that takes a back seat as we are treated to a masterclass in how to build a song up to colossal heights like only Foals can. This was what i was waiting for from the album the glorious climax where you just lay down, eyes closed with goosebumps and just ride that music. Following on from that was always going to be a monumental task. Foals went for the almost hypnotic song 'Stepson' which could easily double up as a lullaby even the lyrics 'Now i'm falling deeper down i go'. What are you trying to do boys send me to sleep? Personally i think 'Stepson' will forever be living in the shadow of 'Providence' it doesn't have that Genese que needed to follow up from such a massive tune. Finally, we have 'Moon' and your starting to get the impression they really are trying to get you to catch some zzz's. A slow intro with a mellow assortment of guitar parts floating in the background. Then you hear the faint crashing of drums in the background and your thinking 'lets have it'. The synth kicks in but then fades back into the earlier calm vibe at the beginning of the song. The last 30 or so seconds is just noise which left me feeling shortchanged. I was hoping for another corking ending but i guess it just wasn't meant to be.
I would like to say that this was all upon first listen, i was listening to the album for the first time as im typed so any of these songs could either grow on me or start to grind me. However very enjoyable album that i would recommend to anyone i'd even give it an 8/10 upon first listen which for me is unheard of. I know just look forward to seeing them live again which will hopefully be a better experience than the last time at Reading when i was tricked into drinking piss. I hope you enjoy. Toodles
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