Listen To The New Foals Album Here

The excitability of the English music press is well established. If a new band vaguely has hit the airwaves with a new song, publishers such as NME or Q are ready to ignore restrained hyperbole and wildly declare them the new Oasis or start connecting the dots to John, Paul, George and/or Ringo. Oxford five-piece Foals made some indie waves with their breathy 2008 debut Antidotes. It was well received here in the US, perhaps even more than England. However, their new album has struck a chord across the pond and you can't take a tube ride without seeing massive advertising about their release. The reviews in NME, The Guardian and the BBC proudly followed suit.

I guess I cannot blame the English for support their rock music to the point of excess. British bands are well-established in making their catchy brand of pop. It comes so easily and often that it leaves American bands in the dust to the point that it is a source of national pride. Even the band themselves called their new album's sound like the "dream of an eagle dying". Cringe.

So, the real question is "Is Foals new album Total Life Forever good? Great? Beatlesque?". Quick answers are: Yes, Depends, Stop it. Released in America on the ever broadening label Sub Pop, Foals have taken their upbeat, breezy and reinforced it with a muscular funky dub bassline, jazzy drums and thickly accented vocals that emphasize the lyrical force. There is an excellent retro feel to this album, reminding the listener of the best of the British New Wave of the 80's. Standouts tracks include the new single Spanish Sahara, powerful opener Blue Blood and the smooth sounds of tracks Black Gold and 2 Trees.

Buy the new album here after you give it a listen below.

Spanish Sahara


Blue Blood


Black Gold


2 Trees