When someone talks about the “Summer Album of the Year,” they usually are talking about someone like Katy Perry, Lil Wayne, or, for the sake of relativity, Lady Gaga. However, there are a couple of gems that shine out from the typical radio songs that get completly overplayed. Last year, it was Neon Trees who shined with “Animal” (which is still being overplayed one year later), and in 2009, it was MGMT’s “Kids” who made peoples iPods explode with one of the catchiest piano parts of the past decade, now being used and sampled by artists such as Chiddy Bang.
This year, however, it seems that Foster the People’s single “Pumped Up Kicks” seems to be gaining steam in it’s efforts to be this year’s breakout song. Surprisingly, its been thrown around multiple blogs for over a year, but the catchy single finally found some footing and has climbed the alternative charts incredibly fast. Honestly, “Pumped Up Kicks” was good the first couple of times, but I eventually got sick of it. However, I decided to give the band a second try, seeing if their debut album, Torches, was any better than that one song. I’m happy to say, it exceeded all of my expectations, and sets solid ground work for a great follow up.
Torches combines the synthy playfulness of Passion Pit, and the indie musicianship of MGMT, into one great LP. The poppy intro “Helena Beats” shows off the range in Mark Foster’s voice, textures and beats that will get your head bobbing. Also in the same vein, is “Houdini,” an effects-heavy party song, with an incredibly catchy bridge, and “Call It What You Want,” an upbeat piano pop song, with an chant-worthy chorus.
Foster can also play the slow card from time to time. Their love song “I Would Do Anything For You” is a perfect song to put on your summer mixtapes to that “special someone,” while “Warant” sticks to the pattern of the first couple of songs, using playful bass riffs and piano helps carry minimal effects and sweet lyrics.
Now, depending on how you get this album (I recommend Best Buy), you will hopefully get some bonus tracks. The Best Buy version (the one I have) comes with two extra songs. “Love” is one of my favorite songs that Foster has on their debut, which makes it a shame that it’s not on every disc. With it’s almost humorous lyrics about love (the title is in no way some ironic name to give), the track puts out a great flow to a great track. While “Chin Music For The Unsuspecting Hero” reminds me of an early Ben Folds Five, with an incredibly high chorus and bleak lyrics.
I hope Foster the People stay around for a while. Torches doesn’t have a real low point, but instead, has a decent amount of pop for any fan to enjoy, whether you like the dance/slow sections of the LP. Torches will not only bring them up and above similar artists like Passion Pit and MGMT, but will definetly be on every critics Best Albums list. It’ll be on mine.
Final Grade: B+
Below is a link to Foster the Peoples “Houdini.” Enjoy
Middle of the Row 
1 – Neon Trees “Animal” is awesome and I still love listening to it (many of the remixes as well). It got me through some tough times killing zombies in Dead Rising 2. So overplayed my behind. Granted this is just including my control of my itunes considering I listen to the radio maybe once a week…
2 – (I really should have rethought this number system cuz this is a very short list) It won’t be on my best of list, but I am not a music critic so I won’t even have a list. It sounds nice and all, but I don’t think this would have major replay value for me. I will definitely recommend it to my sister though.
Also, I think Martin Solveig & Dragonette’s “Hello” has a better chance for song of the summer cuz it is crazy catchy. Silly commercials have gotten it stuck in my head, and the only reason it isn’t my ringtone is because in the end it may lead to me bringing about a violent death to myself. That and I will never stop loving hearing Fatboy Slim’s “Right Here Right Now” when I get a call, even though it reminds me of a rapist every time I hear it thanks to Veronica Mars.