Coming off their smash hit Torches from 2011, Foster the People had a major challenge to avoid
the classic “sophomore slump” on their 2014 release Supermodel. The name of the album provides hints into the muses of
Mark Foster, a man pushed from the margins of the music industry right up to
the very peak on the back of the success of “Pumped Up Kicks,” otherwise known
as the most overplayed song of 2010 AND 2011. The album is about coming to
grips with this new fame, with tracks asking “Are You What You Want to Be?” or
“Tabloid Super Junkie” or, more obscurely, the track “The Angelic Welcome of
Mr. Jones,” invoking Counting Crows’ “Mr. Jones,” which tells the story of a
man who thinks fame will bring him friendship and love, when in fact Mr. Jones
is just as lonely famous as he is before. (possibly the worst song I've ever posted...oh well it's just so catchy haha)
Musically, Supermodel is
a collection of very danceable pop songs and more mellow rock and folk tracks.
Tracks like “A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon” invoke Portugal. The
Man’s early work (see Churchmouth), except without the same flair and deepness
of a Portugal. The Man song. That’s my issue with the entire album, it all just
floats on the surface of your psyche, and fails to make a real impression. You
listen to the album, and enjoy dancing along to the catchy pop ditties, but
nothing is memorable and attempts to be super mellow on a track like “Fire
Escape,” just seem like mediocre attempts at profound song writing. You write
pop songs Foster, and you’re damn good at it, so stick to that. Check out “Best
Friend” for your daily dose of dance! Love the final horn breakdown just when
you think the track is over—what a kick in the musical gut!
5/10
Best track:
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