Thoughts onForeign Born: Person to Person

You never get a second chance to make a first impression: Sage advice for dandruff sufferers and bands. The first time I saw Foreign Born play live, about four years ago now, I was impressed with their stage presence. I marvelled at their musical skill. I envied their clear surplus of energy. When they finished their set, however, I realized that it had all just blown right past me. I couldn't remember a single melody to save my life. Not a good sign, but I decided to be patient.

A few months later, I saw them live again. Their show had improved. Great use of lights. More energy. Their drummer was even more phenomenal. But still, at the end of the night, I couldn't remember anything. A guitar line here perhaps, a drum fill there, but no hooks.

When their first album, On the Wing Now arrived, it seemed like a promising step. I showered it with praise here and in private conversation. Sure, the final released version had been stripped of its only 'hit' ("We Had Pleasure"), and the record seemed long on musical talent while being short on catchy melodies, but I chocked it up to first album jitters. I waited patiently for the second album: the undeniable classic record wherein Foreign Born would claim their rightful title as kings of the American indie universe.

"Blood Oranges" Acoustic:

But instead of exploding with a bang, "Person to Person" lands with a thud. It's disappointingly dull, needlessly tasteful, and painfully restrained. It's not a bad record by any means: The band have clearly developed as musicians and arrangers. It's just that lack of tunes again. Foreign Born, much to their detriment, have repeatedly underestimated the sheer joy a strong hook can inspire in listeners, and Person to Person does nothing to dispel that notion.

Much like the first album, there are flashes of brilliance that intrigue and promise a more accessible sound: the boisterous brass section at the end of "Vacationing People", for example, or the space-age doo-wop in the middle 8 of "Early Warnings". These bits, much like the second half of "In the Shape" did for the first record, almost redeem Person to Person. Almost.

"Early Warnings"

Now that I think about it, this is sounding a lot like my review of that first record. And that's what's so frustrating. The very best bands make that jump into the big leagues by finding a way to effectively channel their natural charisma and ability. In doing so they are able to shake people's first impressions and define themselves on their own terms. Foreign Born are still waiting to make that jump, and still trying to shake this reviewer's first impression.

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