Thoughts On
Foreign Born: "On the Wing Now"
Foreign Born are like a musical Rorschach test. U2 fans hear Bono in Matt Popieluch's soaring vocals and the Edge in Lewis Pesacov's effects-laden guitar. Joy Division devotees hear Ariel Rechtshaid's driving bass and immediately think of Peter Hook. For this reviewer, Foreign Born conjure up the nervous energy of the West-Coast groups heard on the Nuggets compilation: Maybe it's Popieluch's manic acoustic guitar throughout the album, or the propulsive drums of Garret Ray on tracks like "It Wasn't Said to Ask" and "Into Your Dream". However you peg them, it's clear that Foreign Born are mining a rich musical tradition: The chorus guitar on "In the Shape" is pure "Dirty"-era Sonic Youth; on the aforementioned "Into Your Dream", Popieluch evokes the spirit Lou Reed in his prime. Listen to "Into Your Dream":
[Download the MP3 Here]
The NME once said of Swervedriver that they were a great band who forgot to write a classic song. It would of course be unfair to write Foreign Born off in the same way at such an early stage. But it probably bears mentioning that while there are no substandard songs on this record, there are no defining ones either. The last-minute exclusion of fan favorite "We Had Pleasure" in favor of the psychedelic "Don't Take Back Your Time" would only seem to strengthen this notion. There are, however, some truly fine moments here, like the tender harmonies that make up the heart of "Letter of Inclusion", which starts with a melancholy organ note lifted straight from Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over". The second half of "In The Shape", propelled by some dazzling percussion and a spirited performance by Popieluch, is one of those transcendent moments you'll find yourself returning to again and again.
All in all, this a very fine debut record. One gets the feeling, however, that with just a bit more focus, Foreign Born could scale the heady heights the best parts of "On The Wing Now" only hint at.
Rating: 7 out of 10
[Band Website]
[Band Myspace]
[Read my interview with singer Matt P]
Labels: foreign born, mp3, reviews
posted by Mike at 9:30 AM
2 Comments:
I really like "In the Shape" and "Letter of Inclusion" ~ and after listening to the album awhile now, the second half of "Never Wrong" is something I keep going back to. Not that I listen to the second half exclusively. But why is it that in the first half he sings, "I know not why" instead of just "I don't know why"? Somehow this feels Morrissey-esque to me, and maybe Popieluch would need swooshier hair to sing it.
I love this album!~a
Thanks for the mp3! was looking everywhere for the song!
nice review, if i could i'd buy the album... but here in europe, i can't find it anywhere!
thanks!
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