Kelli

I've been wanting to create a journal on here for a while now, but haven't been sure what to write about in it. I decided I want to start off with reviews of albums that are released this year. Depending on how this turns out, I might expand that to older albums and other music topics as well.

How I rate albums:

0 = so bad I couldn't finish it
1 = nearly unlistenable
2 = awful
3 = poor
4 = below average
5 = average
6 = above average
7 = great
8 = awesome
9 = brilliant
10 = masterpiece

& I only use a .5 if I REALLY can't decide between two ratings.

This is my first time writing album reviews so please comment if you have any suggestions for me, want to debate anything, etc.

Review #01



1. In the Darkness
2. No Destruction
3. On Blue Mountain
4. San Francisco
5. Bowling Trophies
6. Shuggie
7. Oh Yeah
8. We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
9. Oh No 2

Background
California indie-rock band Foxygen released their second album earlier this year, entitled We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic.

Music
My attention was immediately captured upon hearing the first few seconds of this album with what sounded like a jumbled mash-up of late 60s rock influences. The faint horns in the background and the subsequent announcement of “Without further ado / we would like to introduce you to…” seemed to mimic the false live opening to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The end of the opening track left me interested in hearing what the rest of the record would sound like.

The next song, “No Destruction,” is the track that had led me to discover this album. With lyrics going on about “doors of consciousness” and a sound reminiscent of Loaded-era Velvet Underground, this track sets a high standard for the rest of the album. “On the Mountain” is a song that highlights Foxygen’s psychedelic influences, and “San Francisco” only furthers it with definite echoes of Jefferson Airplane that proves this band has no desire to be subtle about their inspirations – rather, they embrace them, and they do a great job of it. Anyone who listens to this album could namedrop a dozen more past artists they hear in this album, but the lyrics and composition contain enough originality for Foxygen to give us a new take on these styles and make them their own.

The song “Shuggie” continues with the lazy atmosphere and beat that suddenly shifts into a catchy chorus. “Oh Yeah” makes use of background vocals that have at this point become characteristic of the album, followed by the more exciting and experimental-sounding title track. And lastly, the final minute of “Oh No 2” ends the album on a high note that makes me want to listen to the album all over again.

Highlighted Tracks


Conclusion
With We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, Foxygen does more than simply imitate the sounds of past bands they are inspired by; this album is a solid representation of what it sounds like to mix all of your influences together, call it your own, and somehow have it turn out sounding pretty amazing.

8/10