Full Album Review: Supermodel

Foster the People released their long awaited album earlier this week. Ever since I fully delved into their first studio album, Torches, I had been itching for more of their playful sound. It has always interested me how they contrast this more upbeat instrumentals with very dark, meaningful lyrics, which is showed most blatantly in their most well known song "Pumped Up Kicks". Well, their new album Supermodel definitely delivers. It is still seems written as a full album as opposed to individual songs put into one compilation of varying styles. The songs have a conscious flow between each track which allows for easy listening of the entire album in one sitting, which I thoroughly recommend. Posted below is a full recording of the album so you can do just that while you read the rest of the review as I go over each song individually.

Are You What You Want to Be? (4:31)

Supermodel starts off with bang with this very catchy track. While it is a bit darker in instrumentals than Torches was it continues the same tempo and rhythm, keeping its energy alive. The rhythm of the lyrics is also something to note. It follows the the rest of the music very well which keeps this flow and seamlessly transitions from the verses to chorus. The lyrics themselves are pretty heavy too. To me its basically saying that everyone has to make their own choices and the consequences are dire if you fuck up. So is what you are doing now what you really want? Let me know in the comments your thoughts on this or any other lyrics.

Ask Yourself  (4:23)

Ask Yourself continues the similar theme of the previous song of upbeat tempo juxtaposed with serious lyrics. They charge their subject with the question: "Is this the life you've been waiting for?" telling them their life is screwed up by their decisions. Its almost sounding at this point like this album is written to a specific person in their life. I really like it though; it's a powerful theme and I hope the message gets across to their intended subject and to the full audience dealing with any of their own life problems.

Coming of Age (4:40)

This was the first song previewed for the new album and honestly, it got me so excited. My friend Paul burst in the room one day yelling, "Did you hear the new Foster the People album?!??" and ripped the computer from my hands to play it. It definitely captures their older album most similarly. In fact, if I had heard this played back to back with Warrant and I wasn't paying attention, I'd think it was an extended cut of the Torches conclusion. I fully understand why they previewed this first (since it has the closest style to their original hits) but I wish they had shown me something more different to fully prepare me for the awesomeness that is this album.

Nevermind (5:18)

Supermodel continues with a Bossa Nova styled track named "Nevermind". This is where Foster the People really takes their first musical risk in the album, and it pays off big time. "Nevermind" takes this new, jazzy Bossa to their tried and true musical method to make it less of a completely new style and more of a modified version of their original style. This keeps the song in track with the whole "written as an album" feeling of the album while showing their ability to branch out as a band. Keep looking for this kind of stuff from Foster the People, I'm sure more will come in the future.

Pseudologica Fantastica (5:31)

Foster continues the album with a dreamy, trippy feeling song that is still quite the enigma to me lyrics-wise. It seems that hes talking to a close friend that has made some of the sub-par choices mentioned in "Are You What You Want to Be?" and "Ask Yourself", but I'm still trying to figure them out. If anyone has any other insights, I'd love to hear in the comments. Regardless of the lyrics, the heavy use of synth contributes to the overall dreamy style that is what will draw most people into the song in the first place. Overall, its a good track to end the first half and so far I've been nothing but impressed.

The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones (0:33)

Honestly, this is my favorite part of the whole album. It splits the tracklist in half, making it a natural breakpoint between the two halves of the album. Not only is it a well-arranged break from the rest of the album, it is A Capella (extra points for that one) and it is well performed. I almost was disappointed that it was only a 30 second piece of the album because when the next song came on, I had to triple check my computer to see if the file was working properly. Going forward from this small sample, I'm hoping that Foster the People continues their trend with doing some of their songs A Capella.

Best Friend (4:28)

This track continues the Torches style almost point for point; I'd compare it style-wise to Houdini. It has the most positive message so far out of all of the songs on Supermodel, speaking words of reassurance to one's best friend that they'll be their for their friend through any trials or tribulations. Like I said earlier, the instrumentals and vocal style harken back to Foster's Torches in a good way, but unfortunately, that means that there isn't much else to say about Best Friend. Overall, I'd say it is an average song in the face of all of these other fantastic tracks.

A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon (4:40)

Here we come to my least favorite song on the album. "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon" features a harsher vocal voice than present in the rest of Foster the People's works which clashes with the style they are trying to make their own, which is a lighter, more upbeat sound. I can see that they are trying to experiment with different attempts to branch out, but it just doesn't feel like Foster the People to me. While a still very good song in its own right, it doesn't mesh well the rest of the album. Fortunately, this is the low low of the album for me, because beside these few complaints its still a solid track.

Goats in Trees (5:10)

If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn this was the Shins, and I like the Shins a lot. This is a good following song to the previous track because it calms the album down and prepares the listener for the next two tracks. Its lyrics also take a turn from the more advising/judging tone in the earlier tracks and are more reflective on the writer's own actions and the mistakes he made. Also for the first time the calmer tones of the instrumentals match the slower, pensive theme of the lyrics. Overall, this song is a well planned and well executed track that helps tie the rest of the album together.

The Truth (4:30)

Here is my favorite song in the album. Foster's vocal range is showed in full force as he quickly and skillfully alternates between smooth falsetto and his deeper bass voice through the chorus. It continues the overarching story of the album with Foster talking to his friend and offering to help his friend pull through the tough times ahead. The falsetto riffs contribute to this reassuring tone by being overly energetic throughout the rest of the undertones of the song. Because of this great message and fantastic execution of the message on the track, "The Truth" secures itself as my new favorite "Foster the People" song and my standout pick for Supermodels.

Fire Escape (4:22)

"Fire Escape" does to me exactly what "Warrant" did on torches. It ends the album by resolving the story of the album by using a completely unique style compared to the rest of the album. This track uses a very low key acoustic line to support Foster's final plea to his friend to "Save Yourself, Save Yourself" and really wraps up the album well. What's really exciting about this song is what it means for the future. If Foster the People follow the same pattern with Torches, then "Fire Escape" could be an indicator of their next album, like Warrant did for Supermodel. It could also just be that they made the song to fit the story. Regardless, it left a good taste in my mouth as the music ended.

Overall, I really really enjoyed this album and writing about it. The lyrics show so much depth behind Foster and their willingness to branch out while keeping the same overall style shows that they are willing to experiment with their sound yet know very well their strengths in music. While the middle had two tracks that dipped on the awesomeness scale, I still would recommend everyone who has listened to Foster the People before and those who are interested in them to sit down and put everything else to the side and give the album a real listen once through. It's definitely worth the time and effort. On a 1-10 scale, I would rate Supermodel by Foster the People 9/10.

As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments, on Twitter, or on Facebook, and I'm always looking for ways to improve so let me know that too!