Album Details

• Artist: Foster The People
• Album: Torches
• Label: Columbia
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: digitalbath on 2011-06-21

Yet another rather impressive 2011 release!  Foster the People released their 2011 debut, Torches, on May 23rd and it is truly living up to the hype that it's single, "Pumped Up Kicks" has been buzzing about across the US and Canada.  The indie genre has certainly seen plenty of expansion and evolution in the 2000's and Foster the People can certainly be seen as another of the pioneers of the indie/pop music of the future.

  Of course, there is plenty of electronic accompaniment to be seen throughout the album.  Most of the sampling that you'll hear throughout the album is programmed by their front man, Mark Foster (lead vocals, keyboards, piano, synth, programming, percussion).  Also on the album are Mark Pontius (drums/percussion) and Cubbie Fink (bass, backing vocals).  Torches has a very pleasing groove to it that'll make you want to listen from a dance floor.  There is a bit of guitar to be found throughout the album but it certainly isn't a higlight of the album as compared to Foster's piano work, which admittedly is something to behold.  2011 seems to be all about originality through simplicity and Foster the People hit the nail on the head.  Other than the single (for the purpose of mass exposure), there really aren't any stand out songs on the records, in a good way.  It seems that Torches may have been a difficult album to choose a single for considering all of the tracks flow together so nicely.

The great marvel of Torches is much better appreciated through listening to the entire album, which shouldn't be a difficult thing to do.  Foster the People are another band that are truly paving the way for future generations of music and I can't wait to see what they come up with next! 

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