We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
West Lake Village, CA
(Jagjaguwar)
“Warped, psychedelic ode to the ’60s and ’70s”
More psychedelic and focused than the duo’s first album, Take The Kids Off Broadway, Foxygen’s second full-length effort presents nine trippy, upbeat tunes in a brisk 37 minutes.
A classic-sounding psychedelic vibe is certainly the primary focus throughout the album. With its breezy interspersing of horns, opening track “In The Darkness” takes one back to The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper era. Allusions to the distorted 13th Floor Elevators’ sound can be heard sonically on “Bowling Trophies,” and vocally on the title track. The vocals recall Mick Jagger, as singer Sam France occasionally yelps and screams his way through some of the album’s more experimental numbers.
http://youtu.be/vNXZd303TjQ
Foxygen balances out referencing grandmothers losing limbs in the war and discussing Jesus in Israel with witty lines in the fourth track, aptly named “San Francisco.” As France explains that he left his heart in San Francisco, two female singers reply with, “That’s okay, I was bored anyway,” and later humorously add, “I was bored anyway.”
Luckily, being bored won’t be a result of this album, as Foxygen delivers a concise, catchy record psychedelic enough for indie music lovers, but accessible enough for more than a select few.
Produced and Mixed by Richard Swift
Mastered by T.W. Walsh
foxygen.bandcamp.com