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While driving around for work throughout the Northeast I mainly stick with familiar stations: WFUV, WDST, WRSI, etc. At times I dial in the random college station, an old blues song, a folk tune, a bluegrass number catches my ear when scanning the radio. One day outside of Albany, NY I was doing just that when I hear Foxygen for the first time. A glorious Glam-Rock, lo-fi throwback. “No Destruction”. While I certainly enjoyed the Velvet Underground feel I kind of pegged them as a derivative, a son of Lou Reed. Until I listened to Hang, their latest. 32 minutes in length much like record albums of the 1970’s but today we call it an EP.
A 70’s pop masterpiece that tips it’s hat to other eras as well, twenties pop in particular. But also soundtrack worthy strings and piano. Big ass vocals. Broadway-esque. A fun throwback yet rooted in contemporary Indie.
The EP opens with “Follow the Leader”, Atlanta Rhythm Section meets Sly & the Family Stone with strings. “Avalon” quite similar to ABBA’s “Waterloo” in the chorus though with a Ragtime interlude throughout. Rocky Horror Picture Show is evoked in the third tack, “Mrs. Adams”. Upbeat yet dark. Manheim Steamroller feel with “America”, more instrumental than vocal. The sound of Graham Parsons is represented in “On Lankershim”, southern California pop at it’s best. Movie making.
The rest of the album carries on in the same vein. Stings, piano, over the top vocals. Maybe some Radiohead or Wilco at the end in “Rise Up”. A band that knows where they fit yet pushing the envelope none the less. Big, bodacious, fun.
Posted by musicsherlock | Filed under Album, Music-Centric, Review