SHUT UP, ANTHONY! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUTS HUOP SHUT UP!!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!/!?!? WHAT DO YOU THINK FOXYGEN IS? NICKELBACK!???? IF YOU WANT POP, GO TURN ON THE RADIO IF YOU WANT NICE "SONGS" AND ALL THAT CRAP! FOXYGEN ISN'T TRYING TO WRITE TWEEN ANTHEMS FOR YOUR IMMATURE ASS ANTHOY! GO LISTEN TO SOME WEEZER OR SOMETHING, YOU DORKKKKK! IDIOT!
Man, those Logic vids. Anything to do with Lil' Dicky, particularly his as of recent, "acting" career.. _and of course who can forget Nav: _*_Nemesis Brown Boy Of The Canadian Music Family._*
I was super disappointed at first, only really coming back to songs like How Can You Really, but I had saved all the songs on spotify and more of them came on randomly, and I actually found myself enjoying them. There's actually a lot of artistic genius and irony and humor in this record, as well as solid hooks sprinkled in the weirder stuff as a sort of reward for listening. It is more of a niche-audience-targeted album, but it's subtle lack of subtlety and polish has really grown on me. 8.5/10
You can't really compare this one to the previous records. It wasn't intended to be anything like the first two albums. I think they are making a statement about the bloated rock bands from the late 70's (fleetwood mac, todd rundgren) and I see it as musical theater. Also, I don't know if you've caught them live, but it's amazing. Way more punked up and ragged. Which works for them. Just something to think about :) You're the man Fantano!
Todd Rundgren is not "bloated". In fact, he's the total opposite. Jonathan Rado is a Todd fanatic and I'm pretty sure this album was some sort of attempt to replicate Todd's 1973 masterpiece "A Wizard, A True Star".
The raw songwriting and style on tracks like You & I, I Don't Have Anything/The Gate make my heart melt. Its the kind of first take energy that Neil Young likes to capture, and they emote so god damn much. This album was a complete left turn and I'll agree with you on that, but this may be one of my favorites from them. While it may not be the most radio ready album of theirs by a long shot, it paints such a vivid portrait of the artists and where they were in that time of their life. I feel like I was in the room right there with them for the entire thing. They're powerful, energetic, romantic, and at times playful. It's albums like these that get me excited about bands.
I could agree that the production could be better but there is A LOT of really solid tracks on this album. I feel like you didn't give this a very open minded listen. For people who haven't listened to this record, don't listen to what Anthony says unless production value bothers you that much. There are many great tracks on this record like How Can You Really, Could've Been My Love, Cosmic Vibrations, You & I, Brooklyn Police Station, Everyone Needs Love, and my personal favorite Hang. The record I would give a 7/10 but when they perform this record live I give them a 10/10. There shows are almost unbeatable.
Kymystery I'm with Erich on this one, it seems a lot of people have strong opinions on this record and gave it one solid listen all the way through and it exhausted them in a not so fun way. As opposed to a band like Swans where length and density seems to garnish favorable reviews...a band like Foxygen takes their sound to an excessive route in length and bizarre territories and they get punished in a way for it. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but come on...a 2? That's pretty laughable for a score for this record, even if it is just "his opinion."
Please...I don't agree with Anthony on ALOT of what he thinks is good OR bad...But this...this, to me, is really bad. Whats more is He pretty much summed up why it was. Production is a big one and this sounds like they barely rehearsed at all and went straight to moms basement to record it. Admittedly I am one of those people who have to have my art "spoon fed" to me. I don't see the art here. I don't mean to make others get butthurt about it I just don't see the appeal...at all.
I thought the Star Power suite was pretty great. Cold Winter/Freedom and Can't Contexualize My Mind are great jams. Reminds me a lot of Brian Jonestown Massacre. I think it's a fine album.
Man, i don't think i have ever seen Anthony being this upset over an album.. i kinda wanna listen to it now just to see if it is really as bad as make it out to be.
Dan Bowmen This Foxygen sucks and so does Swans....that band is the most pretentious hipster drawn-out garbage I've ever heard. Swan's music is literally the musical equivalency of a suicide.
What's mystifying to me is how people who liked Take The Kids of Broadway hate this album. That album was just as "jam session-y", especially Teenage Alien Blues, without the great melodies and musical ideas of much of Starpower. The first 10 songs especially are easy to like on first or second listen. I really think most people will come around on this album if they just give it a few listens.
Sad you didn't enjoy this Anthony. I really enjoy it. I think Foxygen aren't really as similar to the other bands you compare them to. I admit the lo-fi switch was hard to get over, but after giving it a second listen I really started to click with it. Honestly, the noisy and crazier parts here are pretty enjoyable to me. I don't agree that the performances are bad, but then again I like bands that play dissonant songs. To me they seem to be embracing more of the Mothers of Invention at points. I admit it's not a perfect album, but it's still one of my favorites from the year. Foxygen have always kinda sucked at writing songs, at least from a pop music stand-point. I'm glad I have this album though. It may stand as 82 minutes, but it's an invigorated and excitable 82 minutes. I found To Be Kind really boring and lazy by comparison to your 10 though. Chalk it up to a difference of opinion I suppose, although I will say that your reaction here doesn't feel particularly reasoned, and is more reactionary than anything. Then again you review a ton of music, and this is one I think needs to grow on the listener. It's shitty recording quality is silly to hold against it in my opinion.
seriously just a light 2?? "coulda been my love" is a wonderful song! I like their chaotic songs too, and the fact that it sounds improvised sometimes, it's one of the reasons why I like this band so much: they're spontaneous, unpredictable... and sound like the rolling stones.
WOW. Didn't expect you to hate this album THIS much. But you definitely make incredibly valid points. This album had little writing and what little it had was poor or packing direction, which sucks considering how concise they were with their last album. They were able to channel all their nostalgic influences into an original and well deigned sound, but this is just a sprawling disappointment. While I still enjoyed a decent amount of this, it's a huge step back from 21st Century Ambassadors. I pray they make better albums in the future.
Have to agree mostly, 21st Century Ambassadors was a top 2013 album for me, but this was just a misfire. Interesting tidbits of songs show up near the end for like a minute but fade away, while the least interesting moments stretch out for too long. I think maybe Foxygen is like MGMT in that they are so weird and obscure with their influences that sometimes it gets lost in translation.
It is his opinion my friends. I saw this review, downloaded the albums and listened to all their work. I am the exact opposite of his opinion here. That is my opinion. You are entitled to yours. This was a great album in my opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion.
He obviously hasn't listened to Kill Art, Ghettoplastikk, or Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic. "...And Star Power" is mostly a return-to-form for Foxygen.
I fully agree with the lazy setlisting, but I disagree with the 2/10. I think this is probably the most intresting album of 2014. Finally a new double album I have been wating for. If you look at The Beatles White Album or Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street, there is some lazy setlisting there aswell, but the albums are still awesome. There are actully some really good songs on ...And Star Power. But of course that's just a matter of taste!
Below is a review from somebody who gets what the album is all about. Personally, with the exception of a couple songs on Part III (including Cold Winter/Freedom), I think most of the songs are easy to like after a few listens. The key is, like any great album, you have to actually give it a few listens. I would guess that Anthony, and most other reviewers, did not do this. Highlights of the album - How Can You Really, You & I, the entire Starpower Suite, I Don't Have Anything/The Gate, Cannibal Holocaust, Brooklyn Police Station, Everyone Needs Love. Also, I highly recommend seeing them live. It's quite a spectacle, with Sam's manic energy and three backup singers giving the songs a different feel. emertainmentmonthly.com/2014/10/19/album-review-foxygens-star-power/ Still love your reviews though Anthony.
Hmm. I expected a disappointment and I got it. Didn't expect your views to be so radical, though. Personally, I love this album. It's not my favorite of theirs, TTKOB was pretty fantastic, but ...And Star Power definitely feels like a shittier band trying to imitate the sixties. And I like that :) It also wasn't a surprise like you say. Give a listen to the album they did when they were 15 back in high school - Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic. Very similar style, in that the style is shit. And again, I like that :) To each their own, bro.
Haha, brutal review! I actually liked it, someone posted the full album - shouldn't be too hard to listen/make up own mind. Bunch of pop sounds jumbled together. But, I like that stuff. Maybe I just have bad taste in music? I'd be ok with that.
You know I personally am a huge foxygen fan. I love what they do and I find their pretty obvious flaws refreshing. its kind of nice to see artists I really like pissing people off again (as opposed to artists I never liked). The thing with foxygen is that they're kiiiinda crazy. This album on its own and also as a follow up to 21st century embody that. the fact that they could have kept going with the sound of the last album (and made quite the career leap off of it) and then they turned around and didn't.. I think that's kinda cool and i love this record for it. BUT I would be kind of sad if they kept the sound here and never went back. its not good song writing. I think that was the point though. I don't think they concerned themselves with making good songs, just letting their ideas burst out.. that all being said, Anthony's just giving his opinion, and (as always) he brings up valid points as to why he rated it how he did. who cares if it was a 2 or 4? like when its a bad review, its a bad review. stop caring what one guy thinks THAT much. doesn't change the points he made about it. it's just another music listener's perspective to shed new light on the work haha
this album took some getting used to. at first, i fell in love with the more catchy songs. (how can you really, Couldve been my love, you and i, cannibal halocaust, hang) and then i never touched the album. thought it was too unpleasant, or just a jam i didnt like too much. but my favorite songs are spread across the board, and all the jams or random songs just fit perfectly in the middle. i genuinely love this album. Do i like it more than the last two? not sure. They were much shorter, and by nature, more direct. this took a while. Sam said, "its a bit of a space odyssey....love story...its cathartic, etc. etc." Its huge. its a lot of music for one sitting. but when you really get into it in a vulnerable state, its fucking excellent. Im sorry but Star Power IV: Ooh Ooh is absolutely gorgeous. So is the game. I dont have anything/the gate. brooklyn police station, etc. I soon got into it, and yeah, foxygen has always been schizophrenic, but i like to think of foxygen as the modern velvet underground. (hope thats not too much a stretch).
I got this record about a month ago, way before it's release. I have to say I somewhat enjoy it. There are some really solid tracks on here. Gotta say.
I agree, i absolutely LOVED their past two albums but I could never even make it through a full listen of this new one. Although i dig the song Cosmic Vibrations that's just a beauty.
you have such an anti abstract way of looking at things, you're treating music not as an art form but a structure of aesthetics that need to be met. Your top comment where you seem to be mocking all the "bigots" that would be making a comment in Foxygens defense doesn't cover the fact that you're pretty much ignoring their artistic vision and ambition to create a non structured, more abstract rock album. Rock music doesn't need to be formulaic nor does it need to be cohesive all the time. Foxygen are exploring the depths of things deemed unconventional in the music industry and I think they're doing a pretty damn good job at it. Sorry you fail to recognize that.
He has given positive reviews to records that do not follow the typical rock structure in the past. He, and a lot of other people just didn't feel like this album did it successfully. The thing though, is that trying to avoid formulas and normal structures and etc. is just as often a bad thing as a good thing, at least in my opinion. Whether or not you wanna do this or that, music is usually the best when it is very consciously put together. You can't just throw some chords together and expect it to be amazing.
I love lots of songs on this album! You didn't even mention a lot of them! Cosmic Vibrations is AMAZING How Can You Really is AWESOME Brooklyn Police Station! Yes, I don't love every song but I'll forgive them for it! Plus they were awesome live on this tour when I saw them
Totally agree on your rating. Anthony, I haven't seen you review any POND albums, but please review their upcoming album "Man It Feels Like Space Again". Think it's going to be rad.
The majority of this album is pretty shitty, yeah. But I cannot stop listening to Coulda Been My Love. I've personally not heard anything quite like it- all the textures fit together so deliciously. It's somewhere between a nostalgic Motown tune and The Rolling Stones. And if the whole album was like that, that'd be spectacular. Maybe 3.5 of the 24 songs are enjoyable.
Sounds to me like Foxygen tried to copy Todd Rundgren's approach to "A Wizard/A True Star" or "Todd" and failed miserably. What's your take on those 2 albums theneedledrop?
This album is way better than 21st century... it's so much more dynamic it offers the listener so much from comic vibrations to can't contextualize my mind to everyone needs love. at times they give the listener too much, I had to leave the room to cool down after certain parts of this album or I would have exploded . Frankly I believe it was Foxygen that had the balls to release such a controversial album that really is the best part of this album. P.S. don't you want your artist to push boundaries
Agreed, the first quarter-up to half of the album was not bad. I would give it a 4 overall I think the problem is as a whole the album leaves a bad taste hence the terrible score, if it'd been the length of say Take The Kids Off Broadway with the better songs it wouldn't be so bad
You said almost everything i was thinking, i was so pumped after we are the 21st centuary ambasadors of peace and magic (which i know you said was tame but i really enjoyed) but this was a wet fart of an album, france particuarly seemed to not give a shit about anything going on
I do think this was a disappointment overall, lots of half baked songs. But two tracks I did love: How Can You Really and Everyone Needs Love. Both of these were great. Like Todd Rundgren Runt-era pop in their catchiness and energy. I do think Foxygen still has it in them to write a good song, they just...I don't know, felt like losing their minds a bit on this one I guess.
How Can You Really is wonderful. Out of the other 78+ minutes, I can't remember much else about the record, other than irritation. Huge disappointment, but better than a 2.
This album is pretty honest. And the songs have a lot of personality in them. Songs like coulda been my love were executed really well imo. There's no explosion of sound because the love didnt happen lol. Not really a celebration, just a documentation. And thats what I enjoyed about this record. Honest documentation of ideas. I also started with take the kids off broadway and I'd have to say this one is my favorite, or equal to the other two. Its been pretty surprising seeing how many people didnt like this one. Oh well, their live show is killer for people considering checking them out..
Sad. "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic" was one of my favorite albums last year, but I agree that this one is absurdly terrible. There's potential in a few of the songs, but they could have just waited another year to flesh them out a little more and put out a respectable album. Some of this stuff is even worse than Ariel Pink's early material.
Please review the debut Eyelids album - 854. Featuring members of Guided by Voices, Boston Spaceships, The Takeovers, Decemberists, Dharma Bums, Elliott Smith, Cavemannish Boy, etc. It rules!
Yeah, a light 2 is too generous. This album is disappointingly bad. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic was like a step away from lo-fi ramblings into something more catchier and commercial. ...And Star Power is a mess. There's no polish or appeal. They sorely needed an editor. Someone to tell them to record another take, to rewrite, and to cut down.
I found this album amazing when I first listened to it. Then after repeated listening I found it to be a good album, but not perfect. The length of this album is interesting. So is the arrangement of the tracks. Also I found the noisier aspects nice, there wasn't too much of it, and it just fit the feel of this album. To me this album is like the whole classic cliche rockstar gone mad kinda story. That's the overall concept I got. Things going haywire and total chaos and confusion, but in the midst of it all there are glimpses of sunshine. I listened to about a quarter of the album on some LSD, and that was quite mindblowing to say the least. The only reason why thats related is because this is psychedelic rock and it actually can go quite well with the psychedelic experience, but I found the album too long and wanted to listen to something more experimental. Overall I like the album, I would rate it a strong 8. I do understand though if it's just a difference in taste on your part Anthony.
Uh Oh….well what does everyone expect, a great album? Sam has his parents run everything in his life and has slowly been losing his mind. hitting himself in the face with the microphone isn;t just an act everyone. I know. I dated him. The sad thing is his manager encourages him to act like this. if it continues i'm afraid he will probably hurt himself more and maybe others
Please elaborate if you can. He seemed eccentric and fun at the concert I went to, dancing with the mic stand, knocking it over and kicking it back up with his leg, etc. He stopped the concert because someone got his wallet almost stolen and told the dude (I think his name was Gabriel) that he loves him and had security kick out the thief, it seemed really sincere but also flamboyant/sarcastic as they tend to be. I'm really curious what your perspective on all this is. Within respectful boundaries of course; I'm not trying to ask for extremely personal information. Given that they were buying random instruments on eBay and fucking around at school concerts somehow making it work (according to what I read) then it does seem like they had pretty wealthy parents.
Mikeureko That’s his ex from the San Francisco video and she seems like a serious stalker. I think she also played in the band for a short time. Not sure though because I don’t follow Foxeygen much. She claims he beat her and knocked her tooth out. I followed her on Instagram for a while and about 75% of her posts were about him and how he beat her and he deserves jail and she shouldn’t have been kicked out of the band. But then I started getting DMs from someone claiming to be close to the singer of Foxeygen and he claims she’s mentally ill and broke in his house, he has a restraining order on her and he claimed she was playing the damsel in distress card because she is bitter and obsessed and schizophrenic. Hope that helps :)
i've had a pretty good track record with agreeing with anthony but jesus every album I've liked this year has gotten a massive fantano-shaped turd dumped on it
Foxygen just don't give a fc about everything. Their songs are just become so great after 5-10 listening, This music is obviously not for everyone. But i agree that in this album there are some weak ones, maybe it could be shorter.
Haha, wow Anthony. I thought the album to be nice, gritty and careless (in a good way). But it's waaaay to long. I noticed I wasn't listening anymore after a couple of tracks. I'd say Deerhunter's Monomania is a good example of how it can be done.
this album is brilliant. i have it on vinyl and their production top. it doesn’t work for this fella but he just doesn’t get it, and he should stick to their less ambitious releases. no sweat’ this review is not very good imo.
I would say, i really love those songs on this album. But I was falling in love with the songs and the band after watching their live performances. Watching them thousands of times, over and over. You know, the backing singers, the stage-presents and a really good sound in general. I think that the mixing of the album killed in some ways, not to say that I'm not buying the record cause I am. But still, damn. Otherwise they're an fantastic band
Ha Ha! Wow! You really hated this one. I agree with much of what you said, especially on how by self-producing the album there was nobody to tell them to edit out much of the album. I feel thought that if you removed the bulk of the filler than it would be a decent album. I like “how can you really” and a few other songs are fun as well. Though somebody should have stopped and told them to edit out much of the crap. Feels like more of a 5-6 to me.
Could you please review The Drums Encyclopedia. I do agree, that a remaster of this album would turn it into a special piece, but in the end, i still like to hear it. Even tough i think that it was poor recorded
Couldn't agree more with you Anthony. It feels like Foxygen are saying : " Fuck me, writing actual songs is so passé anyway, let's just take a dump in the fan and see what happens". Downright pretentious.
You should review Culprate's Deliverance next AND also listen to Sorrow (check out his album dreamstone). He's one of my favourite artists ever and I think it deserves to have a review on some new EP / Album he releases. He makes emotional, ambient, dubstep, future garageish highest level stuff and he has also a pretty sick grime project with his friend Asa.
I assume this album is basically just supposed to be background noise at a weed party. It gets weirder and more lowfi the longer it goes.... and that's when Foxygen assume you are as blasted as they are.... I liken this to MGMT's experimental flop. The only difference is we don't have to wait every 4 years for a new Foxygen album. Obviously this wasn't a serious effort and if you are okay with background noise at a weed party.... then dig it. Personally I'll just listen to their other stuff.
I agree with most of what he says here. I really liked the tracks How Can You Really, Coulda Been My Love, and Flowers. The chorus to Star Power Part 3 is good too, and Hang is a nice closer. But the rest of this album was a complete chore to sit through.
We all have our opinions, and this is yours. I get that it all boils down to personal taste, but really...? 1 out of 10? Was it honestly THAT bad? I've tried to understand your reasoning on this, but I just don't get it. Anyone else feel the way he does? Is the album really that bad?
You should review the new Royal Blood album. Debut from a two-piece bass guitar & drum rock duo from the UK. It went to No.1 in the UK charts and is up for the mercury music prize this year. Check it out!
What a bummer. I was stoked by the single "How Can You Really", but the rest was such a let down. Curious what your thoughts are on Built To Spill, or if they're even on your radar for future reviews.
Can you please review either one of Young the Giants albums? This may be subjective, but I feel as though their sounds is extremely unique. Great palette of songs already and with their recent tour with Kings of Leon, I expect a large rise in popularity. Definitely worth your time and i'm sure it'll be a group that you will run into eventually.
It's really not that bad. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. A few of the songs are unlistenable. I think at least half the songs on here are very good, well written songs.
I'm disappointed in Calchutesta. As soon as Anthony said "A year/week ago" He should have busted in on Antony's rant just to do the bobby shmurda! Yeah I know that meme has been done to death but it get's me every time lol
I think you need to listen to this album a couple of times, otherwise the first reaction will be what is mainly shared in this review. There's a lot of great songs, I've became quite addict to it for at least two weeks! It's really raw and far from a clean commercial album, which is a good sign to me. But, it's true that they could have synthesize the album a little bit more and perhaps work with a good producer to have an exterior look (at their young level of experience). But it was not their artistic decision. The recording quality (from their own studio) is also quite average, does it feel authentic or just over-confident? I don't believe this album sound worst than Take the kids off broadway, it's back to basic as said in an interview. The thing also is that the songs are as good or better live. For instance, I prefer Cannibal holocaust on KEXP than on their album. #process
SHUT UP, ANTHONY! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUTS HUOP SHUT UP!!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!/!?!? WHAT DO YOU THINK FOXYGEN IS? NICKELBACK!???? IF YOU WANT POP, GO TURN ON THE RADIO IF YOU WANT NICE "SONGS" AND ALL THAT CRAP! FOXYGEN ISN'T TRYING TO WRITE TWEEN ANTHEMS FOR YOUR IMMATURE ASS ANTHOY! GO LISTEN TO SOME WEEZER OR SOMETHING, YOU DORKKKKK! IDIOT!
Foxygen has always had pretty bad writing lol I always just ignored that part of they're music
Getting into strawman territory here, Ant.
I don't think anyone's reacted like that Anthony.
pre-emptive strike
1Superchops pretty much this
I have a feeling Anthony's listening to this thing all the time behind our backs.
I love Fantano when he is truly passionate about an album he absolutely hates.
Yeah, I think it's better when he actually likes somethingm
Speedin bullet 2 heaven is still my favorite review ROFL
Fear Innoculum review is my favorite. He doesnt "hate" it i guess, but u can tell how dissapointed he is.
@@iggyignorant Look up "Fantano Reviews Hallucinogens," it's a great meme-y edit of that review.
Man, those Logic vids. Anything to do with Lil' Dicky, particularly his as of recent, "acting" career.. _and of course who can forget Nav: _*_Nemesis Brown Boy Of The Canadian Music Family._*
I was super disappointed at first, only really coming back to songs like How Can You Really, but I had saved all the songs on spotify and more of them came on randomly, and I actually found myself enjoying them. There's actually a lot of artistic genius and irony and humor in this record, as well as solid hooks sprinkled in the weirder stuff as a sort of reward for listening. It is more of a niche-audience-targeted album, but it's subtle lack of subtlety and polish has really grown on me. 8.5/10
I'm genuinely concerned Anthony has split personalities.
You can't really compare this one to the previous records. It wasn't intended to be anything like the first two albums. I think they are making a statement about the bloated rock bands from the late 70's (fleetwood mac, todd rundgren) and I see it as musical theater. Also, I don't know if you've caught them live, but it's amazing. Way more punked up and ragged. Which works for them. Just something to think about :) You're the man Fantano!
Apparently it was meant as a mixtape of their older high school ideas that never made it out previously
I saw starpower tour I thought it was a absolute waste of money and disaster lmao
Todd Rundgren is not "bloated". In fact, he's the total opposite. Jonathan Rado is a Todd fanatic and I'm pretty sure this album was some sort of attempt to replicate Todd's 1973 masterpiece "A Wizard, A True Star".
The raw songwriting and style on tracks like You & I, I Don't Have Anything/The Gate make my heart melt. Its the kind of first take energy that Neil Young likes to capture, and they emote so god damn much. This album was a complete left turn and I'll agree with you on that, but this may be one of my favorites from them. While it may not be the most radio ready album of theirs by a long shot, it paints such a vivid portrait of the artists and where they were in that time of their life. I feel like I was in the room right there with them for the entire thing. They're powerful, energetic, romantic, and at times playful. It's albums like these that get me excited about bands.
"This song's chorus is ... the musical equivalent to a fart."
-Anthony Fantano, 2014
...And Starthany Powertano
I think you need to take a break from constantly listening to all this music.
There's no way you can properly absorb it all.
"Foxygeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnoooeyoyoyoyyeyeyeyeyyeeeeehhhhhhhhh." - M. Gira
I could agree that the production could be better but there is A LOT of really solid tracks on this album. I feel like you didn't give this a very open minded listen. For people who haven't listened to this record, don't listen to what Anthony says unless production value bothers you that much. There are many great tracks on this record like How Can You Really, Could've Been My Love, Cosmic Vibrations, You & I, Brooklyn Police Station, Everyone Needs Love, and my personal favorite Hang. The record I would give a 7/10 but when they perform this record live I give them a 10/10. There shows are almost unbeatable.
No...just no lol. Anthony is right. It IS that bad.
Kymystery
I disagree with you and so do a lot of other people. I happen to think it was one of the best albums of 2014.
Kymystery I'm with Erich on this one, it seems a lot of people have strong opinions on this record and gave it one solid listen all the way through and it exhausted them in a not so fun way. As opposed to a band like Swans where length and density seems to garnish favorable reviews...a band like Foxygen takes their sound to an excessive route in length and bizarre territories and they get punished in a way for it. I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but come on...a 2? That's pretty laughable for a score for this record, even if it is just "his opinion."
Please...I don't agree with Anthony on ALOT of what he thinks is good OR bad...But this...this, to me, is really bad. Whats more is He pretty much summed up why it was. Production is a big one and this sounds like they barely rehearsed at all and went straight to moms basement to record it. Admittedly I am one of those people who have to have my art "spoon fed" to me. I don't see the art here. I don't mean to make others get butthurt about it I just don't see the appeal...at all.
I thought the Star Power suite was pretty great. Cold Winter/Freedom and Can't Contexualize My Mind are great jams. Reminds me a lot of Brian Jonestown Massacre. I think it's a fine album.
Yep, this is one of my favorite albums of the year. Completely disagree with this entire review.
Cheers!
yeah, i really enjoyed the album as well
Lel bad album
ANTHONY SMASH!!!!!!
theneedledrop It's okay man. Want to listen to Swans and hug it out?
theneedledrop Hulktany Smashtano?
Man, i don't think i have ever seen Anthony being this upset over an album.. i kinda wanna listen to it now just to see if it is really as bad as make it out to be.
tracks 2,3, and 4 are okay, but the rest is a complete mess
He sounded gutted and frustrated probably because the last two albums were very good
Make your own opinions. Anthony's neither right or wrong, he just saw it a different way.
mxvideogamemaster I am... that is why I wanna listen to the album, so i can find out if i agree with him or not...
I think that he (and I) enjoyed their two earlier records is, not a huge perhaps but still, a factor.
These "non-songs" weren't that much different than Swans - To be kind, which you gave a 10.
Swans > Foxygen
But To Be Kind was tightly written. This is just a jumbled mess.
lolno
Shots fired! xD
Dan Bowmen This Foxygen sucks and so does Swans....that band is the most pretentious hipster drawn-out garbage I've ever heard. Swan's music is literally the musical equivalency of a suicide.
Hahahaha, shit.
I mean, this album is like a 9/10 for me. Bit baggy but fucking awesome in my opinion.
ya man’ i’m with you
Holy shit! I didn't think it was that bad.
It isn’t bad haha
@@walter9167listening to it 10 years later it’s pretty bad
Really don't understand your hate with "Coulda Been My Love"
The chorus is just more subtle. It's a relaxed song, not really meant to be explosive.
What's mystifying to me is how people who liked Take The Kids of Broadway hate this album. That album was just as "jam session-y", especially Teenage Alien Blues, without the great melodies and musical ideas of much of Starpower. The first 10 songs especially are easy to like on first or second listen. I really think most people will come around on this album if they just give it a few listens.
Sad you didn't enjoy this Anthony. I really enjoy it. I think Foxygen aren't really as similar to the other bands you compare them to. I admit the lo-fi switch was hard to get over, but after giving it a second listen I really started to click with it. Honestly, the noisy and crazier parts here are pretty enjoyable to me. I don't agree that the performances are bad, but then again I like bands that play dissonant songs. To me they seem to be embracing more of the Mothers of Invention at points. I admit it's not a perfect album, but it's still one of my favorites from the year. Foxygen have always kinda sucked at writing songs, at least from a pop music stand-point. I'm glad I have this album though. It may stand as 82 minutes, but it's an invigorated and excitable 82 minutes. I found To Be Kind really boring and lazy by comparison to your 10 though. Chalk it up to a difference of opinion I suppose, although I will say that your reaction here doesn't feel particularly reasoned, and is more reactionary than anything. Then again you review a ton of music, and this is one I think needs to grow on the listener. It's shitty recording quality is silly to hold against it in my opinion.
seriously just a light 2?? "coulda been my love" is a wonderful song! I like their chaotic songs too, and the fact that it sounds improvised sometimes, it's one of the reasons why I like this band so much: they're spontaneous, unpredictable... and sound like the rolling stones.
A 2? Eh, it was sloppy and bloated, yeah, but it could have been cut down to a decent single LP. I would have given it a 4 myself.
I can’t believe you didn’t review Seeing Other People
WOW. Didn't expect you to hate this album THIS much. But you definitely make incredibly valid points. This album had little writing and what little it had was poor or packing direction, which sucks considering how concise they were with their last album. They were able to channel all their nostalgic influences into an original and well deigned sound, but this is just a sprawling disappointment. While I still enjoyed a decent amount of this, it's a huge step back from 21st Century Ambassadors. I pray they make better albums in the future.
Have to agree mostly, 21st Century Ambassadors was a top 2013 album for me, but this was just a misfire. Interesting tidbits of songs show up near the end for like a minute but fade away, while the least interesting moments stretch out for too long. I think maybe Foxygen is like MGMT in that they are so weird and obscure with their influences that sometimes it gets lost in translation.
It is his opinion my friends. I saw this review, downloaded the albums and listened to all their work. I am the exact opposite of his opinion here. That is my opinion. You are entitled to yours. This was a great album in my opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion. opinion.
Gypsus wow so nothing matters other than me? should we all roam around with our heads up our ass?
He obviously hasn't listened to Kill Art, Ghettoplastikk, or Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic. "...And Star Power" is mostly a return-to-form for Foxygen.
I like And Star Power and give it a 7. Unlike Alt-J, Foxygen never bores me.
I fully agree with the lazy setlisting, but I disagree with the 2/10. I think this is probably the most intresting album of 2014. Finally a new double album I have been wating for. If you look at The Beatles White Album or Rolling Stones Exile On Main Street, there is some lazy setlisting there aswell, but the albums are still awesome. There are actully some really good songs on ...And Star Power.
But of course that's just a matter of taste!
Below is a review from somebody who gets what the album is all about. Personally, with the exception of a couple songs on Part III (including Cold Winter/Freedom), I think most of the songs are easy to like after a few listens. The key is, like any great album, you have to actually give it a few listens. I would guess that Anthony, and most other reviewers, did not do this.
Highlights of the album - How Can You Really, You & I, the entire Starpower Suite, I Don't Have Anything/The Gate, Cannibal Holocaust, Brooklyn Police Station, Everyone Needs Love. Also, I highly recommend seeing them live. It's quite a spectacle, with Sam's manic energy and three backup singers giving the songs a different feel.
emertainmentmonthly.com/2014/10/19/album-review-foxygens-star-power/
Still love your reviews though Anthony.
Via Chicago Everyone Needs Love is a pretty polished, decent song I am surprised Fantano doesn't mention as a highlight
Hmm. I expected a disappointment and I got it. Didn't expect your views to be so radical, though.
Personally, I love this album. It's not my favorite of theirs, TTKOB was pretty fantastic, but ...And Star Power definitely feels like a shittier band trying to imitate the sixties. And I like that :)
It also wasn't a surprise like you say. Give a listen to the album they did when they were 15 back in high school - Jurassic Exxplosion Philippic. Very similar style, in that the style is shit. And again, I like that :)
To each their own, bro.
I downloaded this album, but Fantano doesn't like it.
It's deleted
lol
please tell me you're joking
Fucking hell, think for yourself.
Haha, brutal review! I actually liked it, someone posted the full album - shouldn't be too hard to listen/make up own mind. Bunch of pop sounds jumbled together. But, I like that stuff. Maybe I just have bad taste in music? I'd be ok with that.
Lol Anthony this album was incredible and you can't handle it.
HOLY shit, this has been the lowest I've seen you rate something in a while. Now I've gotta listen to that shit.
You know I personally am a huge foxygen fan. I love what they do and I find their pretty obvious flaws refreshing. its kind of nice to see artists I really like pissing people off again (as opposed to artists I never liked). The thing with foxygen is that they're kiiiinda crazy. This album on its own and also as a follow up to 21st century embody that. the fact that they could have kept going with the sound of the last album (and made quite the career leap off of it) and then they turned around and didn't.. I think that's kinda cool and i love this record for it. BUT I would be kind of sad if they kept the sound here and never went back. its not good song writing. I think that was the point though. I don't think they concerned themselves with making good songs, just letting their ideas burst out.. that all being said, Anthony's just giving his opinion, and (as always) he brings up valid points as to why he rated it how he did. who cares if it was a 2 or 4? like when its a bad review, its a bad review. stop caring what one guy thinks THAT much. doesn't change the points he made about it. it's just another music listener's perspective to shed new light on the work haha
this album took some getting used to. at first, i fell in love with the more catchy songs. (how can you really, Couldve been my love, you and i, cannibal halocaust, hang) and then i never touched the album. thought it was too unpleasant, or just a jam i didnt like too much. but my favorite songs are spread across the board, and all the jams or random songs just fit perfectly in the middle. i genuinely love this album. Do i like it more than the last two? not sure. They were much shorter, and by nature, more direct. this took a while. Sam said, "its a bit of a space odyssey....love story...its cathartic, etc. etc." Its huge. its a lot of music for one sitting. but when you really get into it in a vulnerable state, its fucking excellent.
Im sorry but Star Power IV: Ooh Ooh is absolutely gorgeous. So is the game. I dont have anything/the gate. brooklyn police station, etc. I soon got into it, and yeah, foxygen has always been schizophrenic, but i like to think of foxygen as the modern velvet underground. (hope thats not too much a stretch).
I got this record about a month ago, way before it's release. I have to say I somewhat enjoy it. There are some really solid tracks on here. Gotta say.
I've only started listening to it and so far I really like it. I haven't had much experience with this kind of sound and it sounds really good to me.
You might like MGMT - MGMT
I agree, i absolutely LOVED their past two albums but I could never even make it through a full listen of this new one. Although i dig the song Cosmic Vibrations that's just a beauty.
you have such an anti abstract way of looking at things, you're treating music not as an art form but a structure of aesthetics that need to be met. Your top comment where you seem to be mocking all the "bigots" that would be making a comment in Foxygens defense doesn't cover the fact that you're pretty much ignoring their artistic vision and ambition to create a non structured, more abstract rock album.
Rock music doesn't need to be formulaic nor does it need to be cohesive all the time. Foxygen are exploring the depths of things deemed unconventional in the music industry and I think they're doing a pretty damn good job at it. Sorry you fail to recognize that.
He has given positive reviews to records that do not follow the typical rock structure in the past. He, and a lot of other people just didn't feel like this album did it successfully.
The thing though, is that trying to avoid formulas and normal structures and etc. is just as often a bad thing as a good thing, at least in my opinion. Whether or not you wanna do this or that, music is usually the best when it is very consciously put together. You can't just throw some chords together and expect it to be amazing.
You think are so fucking cosmic.
B) yea dude
RydetheTyde Women's *Public Strain* is one of many albums which explains why you are wrong
he didn't like it, so he gave it a 2. "Y'all know this is just my opinion, right? "
I love lots of songs on this album! You didn't even mention a lot of them!
Cosmic Vibrations is AMAZING
How Can You Really is AWESOME
Brooklyn Police Station!
Yes, I don't love every song but I'll forgive them for it! Plus they were awesome live on this tour when I saw them
Sooo.... what you're saying is..... AOTY?
Totally agree on your rating. Anthony, I haven't seen you review any POND albums, but please review their upcoming album "Man It Feels Like Space Again". Think it's going to be rad.
The majority of this album is pretty shitty, yeah. But I cannot stop listening to Coulda Been My Love. I've personally not heard anything quite like it- all the textures fit together so deliciously. It's somewhere between a nostalgic Motown tune and The Rolling Stones. And if the whole album was like that, that'd be spectacular. Maybe 3.5 of the 24 songs are enjoyable.
Sounds to me like Foxygen tried to copy Todd Rundgren's approach to "A Wizard/A True Star" or "Todd" and failed miserably. What's your take on those 2 albums theneedledrop?
i felt the exact same
Mike maniax Perfectly put! AWATS takes me to another world. And Star Power does nothing of the sort and completely exhausts me.
This album is way better than 21st century... it's so much more dynamic it offers the listener so much from comic vibrations to can't contextualize my mind to everyone needs love. at times they give the listener too much, I had to leave the room to cool down after certain parts of this album or I would have exploded . Frankly I believe it was Foxygen that had the balls to release such a controversial album that really is the best part of this album.
P.S. don't you want your artist to push boundaries
2? This is by far their worst record, but i don't think it is that bad. A 4 or 5 would be my score.
A downright disappointing album indeed though
Agreed, the first quarter-up to half of the album was not bad. I would give it a 4 overall
I think the problem is as a whole the album leaves a bad taste hence the terrible score, if it'd been the length of say Take The Kids Off Broadway with the better songs it wouldn't be so bad
D4rdar First quarter was great agreed. The rest was pretty filler
4:28 pro reviewer
You said almost everything i was thinking, i was so pumped after we are the 21st centuary ambasadors of peace and magic (which i know you said was tame but i really enjoyed) but this was a wet fart of an album, france particuarly seemed to not give a shit about anything going on
I do think this was a disappointment overall, lots of half baked songs. But two tracks I did love: How Can You Really and Everyone Needs Love. Both of these were great. Like Todd Rundgren Runt-era pop in their catchiness and energy.
I do think Foxygen still has it in them to write a good song, they just...I don't know, felt like losing their minds a bit on this one I guess.
* Waits patiently for Under Pressure review *
Yep...
How Can You Really is wonderful.
Out of the other 78+ minutes, I can't remember much else about the record, other than irritation. Huge disappointment, but better than a 2.
This is why I love Anthony's reviews: totally truthful, raw uncensored.
Now to check out this album...
Mattress Warehouse was pretty awesome.
Best album of 2014. Bye
Hey, Anthony hates a record!...maybe I should check this one out..:o
You should - it's beyond his grasp.
squingy >foxygen
Damn. I have an urge to listen to it now.
I have the urge to kiss you now.
Me too, I wanna see what the non-fuzz is about.
Clockwork Indigo.
Yesss Anthony Review the clockwork indigo ep
CLOCKWORK INDIGOOO
I doubt he'll review it, nothing too special tbh and I'm a huge fan of both groups. Seen them live last weekend
Ik where is that review at?
This album is pretty honest. And the songs have a lot of personality in them. Songs like coulda been my love were executed really well imo. There's no explosion of sound because the love didnt happen lol. Not really a celebration, just a documentation. And thats what I enjoyed about this record. Honest documentation of ideas. I also started with take the kids off broadway and I'd have to say this one is my favorite, or equal to the other two. Its been pretty surprising seeing how many people didnt like this one. Oh well, their live show is killer for people considering checking them out..
I'd actually be very interested to get your opinion on the new U2 album. lol I'm sure you have it. Great review definitely gonna subscribe for more.
Sad. "We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic" was one of my favorite albums last year, but I agree that this one is absurdly terrible. There's potential in a few of the songs, but they could have just waited another year to flesh them out a little more and put out a respectable album. Some of this stuff is even worse than Ariel Pink's early material.
Please review the debut Eyelids album - 854. Featuring members of Guided by Voices, Boston Spaceships, The Takeovers, Decemberists, Dharma Bums, Elliott Smith, Cavemannish Boy, etc. It rules!
Yeah, a light 2 is too generous. This album is disappointingly bad. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic was like a step away from lo-fi ramblings into something more catchier and commercial. ...And Star Power is a mess. There's no polish or appeal. They sorely needed an editor. Someone to tell them to record another take, to rewrite, and to cut down.
Damn... Fanny straight shitting on them
I found this album amazing when I first listened to it. Then after repeated listening I found it to be a good album, but not perfect. The length of this album is interesting. So is the arrangement of the tracks. Also I found the noisier aspects nice, there wasn't too much of it, and it just fit the feel of this album. To me this album is like the whole classic cliche rockstar gone mad kinda story. That's the overall concept I got. Things going haywire and total chaos and confusion, but in the midst of it all there are glimpses of sunshine. I listened to about a quarter of the album on some LSD, and that was quite mindblowing to say the least. The only reason why thats related is because this is psychedelic rock and it actually can go quite well with the psychedelic experience, but I found the album too long and wanted to listen to something more experimental.
Overall I like the album, I would rate it a strong 8. I do understand though if it's just a difference in taste on your part Anthony.
Uh Oh….well what does everyone expect, a great album? Sam has his parents run everything in his life and has slowly been losing his mind. hitting himself in the face with the microphone isn;t just an act everyone. I know. I dated him. The sad thing is his manager encourages him to act like this. if it continues i'm afraid he will probably hurt himself more and maybe others
Woah what?
Please elaborate if you can. He seemed eccentric and fun at the concert I went to, dancing with the mic stand, knocking it over and kicking it back up with his leg, etc. He stopped the concert because someone got his wallet almost stolen and told the dude (I think his name was Gabriel) that he loves him and had security kick out the thief, it seemed really sincere but also flamboyant/sarcastic as they tend to be. I'm really curious what your perspective on all this is. Within respectful boundaries of course; I'm not trying to ask for extremely personal information.
Given that they were buying random instruments on eBay and fucking around at school concerts somehow making it work (according to what I read) then it does seem like they had pretty wealthy parents.
Mikeureko That’s his ex from the San Francisco video and she seems like a serious stalker. I think she also played in the band for a short time. Not sure though because I don’t follow Foxeygen much. She claims he beat her and knocked her tooth out. I followed her on Instagram for a while and about 75% of her posts were about him and how he beat her and he deserves jail and she shouldn’t have been kicked out of the band. But then I started getting DMs from someone claiming to be close to the singer of Foxeygen and he claims she’s mentally ill and broke in his house, he has a restraining order on her and he claimed she was playing the damsel in distress card because she is bitter and obsessed and schizophrenic. Hope that helps :)
i've had a pretty good track record with agreeing with anthony but jesus every album I've liked this year has gotten a massive fantano-shaped turd dumped on it
Foxygen just don't give a fc about everything. Their songs are just become so great after 5-10 listening,
This music is obviously not for everyone.
But i agree that in this album there are some weak ones, maybe it could be shorter.
Also, LOL...I own this on vinyl too. It's a great album sir.
This record aged very well. It's a modern classic. and the best Foxygen album for sure.
What this album sucks lol😂
Smashthony Crushtano fuckin' destroyed this album, good lord.
I approve wholeheartedly.
Haha, wow Anthony. I thought the album to be nice, gritty and careless (in a good way). But it's waaaay to long. I noticed I wasn't listening anymore after a couple of tracks. I'd say Deerhunter's Monomania is a good example of how it can be done.
this album is brilliant. i have it on vinyl and their production top. it doesn’t work for this fella but he just doesn’t get it, and he should stick to their less ambitious releases. no sweat’
this review is not very good imo.
I would say, i really love those songs on this album. But I was falling in love with the songs and the band after watching their live performances. Watching them thousands of times, over and over. You know, the backing singers, the stage-presents and a really good sound in general. I think that the mixing of the album killed in some ways, not to say that I'm not buying the record cause I am. But still, damn. Otherwise they're an fantastic band
imo this album was pretty decent. i liked it. 7.4/10
Ha Ha! Wow! You really hated this one. I agree with much of what you said, especially on how by self-producing the album there was nobody to tell them to edit out much of the album. I feel thought that if you removed the bulk of the filler than it would be a decent album. I like “how can you really” and a few other songs are fun as well. Though somebody should have stopped and told them to edit out much of the crap. Feels like more of a 5-6 to me.
Is Between Bodies by The World is a Beautiful Place & I am no Longer Afraid to Die going to be on your next YUNOREVIEW?
Could you please review The Drums Encyclopedia.
I do agree, that a remaster of this album would turn it into a special piece, but in the end, i still like to hear it. Even tough i think that it was poor recorded
Couldn't agree more with you Anthony. It feels like Foxygen are saying : " Fuck me, writing actual songs is so passé anyway, let's just take a dump in the fan and see what happens". Downright pretentious.
Great review. Anthony put into word EXACTLY what I was thinking!
You should review Culprate's Deliverance next AND also listen to Sorrow (check out his album dreamstone). He's one of my favourite artists ever and I think it deserves to have a review on some new EP / Album he releases. He makes emotional, ambient, dubstep, future garageish highest level stuff and he has also a pretty sick grime project with his friend Asa.
I assume this album is basically just supposed to be background noise at a weed party. It gets weirder and more lowfi the longer it goes.... and that's when Foxygen assume you are as blasted as they are.... I liken this to MGMT's experimental flop. The only difference is we don't have to wait every 4 years for a new Foxygen album. Obviously this wasn't a serious effort and if you are okay with background noise at a weed party.... then dig it. Personally I'll just listen to their other stuff.
Anthony's confused and it makes him mad
I agree with most of what he says here. I really liked the tracks How Can You Really, Coulda Been My Love, and Flowers. The chorus to Star Power Part 3 is good too, and Hang is a nice closer. But the rest of this album was a complete chore to sit through.
We all have our opinions, and this is yours. I get that it all boils down to personal taste, but really...? 1 out of 10? Was it honestly THAT bad? I've tried to understand your reasoning on this, but I just don't get it. Anyone else feel the way he does? Is the album really that bad?
Hot Summer is a really bad track.
uhhh it got a 2....
Julian Towers
My bad!
VagrantWatcher213
It is. However, it's just one track amongst many others.
I think it's okay, it's disappointing for sure, but Anthony holy shit you are upset
Are you going to review Coffins on Io by Kayo Dot? Would love to see that and it was in your anticipated list of 2014.
You should review the new Royal Blood album. Debut from a two-piece bass guitar & drum rock duo from the UK. It went to No.1 in the UK charts and is up for the mercury music prize this year. Check it out!
Also Morello is a fan...
twitter.com/tmorello/status/517170632304652288
dude I've watched this like 10 times just for the rage
What a bummer. I was stoked by the single "How Can You Really", but the rest was such a let down.
Curious what your thoughts are on Built To Spill, or if they're even on your radar for future reviews.
Can you please review either one of Young the Giants albums? This may be subjective, but I feel as though their sounds is extremely unique. Great palette of songs already and with their recent tour with Kings of Leon, I expect a large rise in popularity. Definitely worth your time and i'm sure it'll be a group that you will run into eventually.
gee, is it that bad? I seem to agree with you most times, but then you gave beck's morning phase a 4 .
It's really not that bad. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. A few of the songs are unlistenable. I think at least half the songs on here are very good, well written songs.
Clockwork Indigo - Clockwork Indigo EP
I'm disappointed in Calchutesta. As soon as Anthony said "A year/week ago" He should have busted in on Antony's rant just to do the bobby shmurda! Yeah I know that meme has been done to death but it get's me every time lol
Good review! I hope foxygen can rekindle their magic in the future
Hi, I live in the future and I'd like to warn you against spending the next 8 years nurturing that hope. Sorry.
ANTHONY! Please Review the new "Clock Work Indigo" ep that Flatbush Zombies did with the Underachievers
Dayum! Anthony laid the smack down on this one. Now I'm just curious to hear it. I rarely see him give ratings that low.
I think you need to listen to this album a couple of times, otherwise the first reaction will be what is mainly shared in this review. There's a lot of great songs, I've became quite addict to it for at least two weeks! It's really raw and far from a clean commercial album, which is a good sign to me. But, it's true that they could have synthesize the album a little bit more and perhaps work with a good producer to have an exterior look (at their young level of experience). But it was not their artistic decision. The recording quality (from their own studio) is also quite average, does it feel authentic or just over-confident? I don't believe this album sound worst than Take the kids off broadway, it's back to basic as said in an interview. The thing also is that the songs are as good or better live. For instance, I prefer Cannibal holocaust on KEXP than on their album. #process
a light 2? A LIGHT 2?!?! Fantano you are being very friendly here.