Foster The People have quickly become a band with a lot of buzz surrounding them on the indie rock scene.  Their debut album, Torches, has had much anticipation behind its’ release. Foster The People weren’t stingy by any means when it came to giving fans a taste of Torches, they released three songs on an EP that were absolutely phenomenal and really built the hype surrounding the debut.  My biggest worry with Torches was that the highlights of the album were going to be those three tracks that we had already become so familiar with.  Was another track on the album going to make me dance around like “Pumped Up Kicks,” or try so ridiculously hard to hit high notes I had no business attempting the way “Helena Beat” did? 

Torches opens with my favorite track, “Helena Beat.”  It may have not been the leading single off the album, but I absolutely adore this song.  Frontman Mike Foster has me screaming out lines, “Yeah, yeah and it’s okay/I tie my hands up to a chair so I don’t fall that way/Yeah, yeah and I’m alright/ I took a sip of something poison but I’ll hold on tight.” 
Following the opening track is the first single from the album, another familiar track Foster The People followers already know word for word, “Pumped Up Kicks.” 

“Call It What You Want” comes on and is the first track I have yet to hear.  The track starts out with hard hitting beats, a total dance floor track.  “Color On The Walls” follows, not one of my favorites, weird beats and a different delivery.  “Waste” is next, a slower yet upbeat track that displays Foster’s vocals and lyrical talents, “How long/I say how long/Will you relive the things that are gone?”  “Waste” quickly becomes a new favorite, a catchy chorus, much like the first three tracks that introduced the sound of Foster The People.  If there can be a ballad type track in indie/electronic/pop rock, then “I Would Do Anything For You” becomes that.  “Oohh lala/I’m falling in love,” Foster sings out over perfect melody, creating a perfect chorus.

“Houdini” is the third track that was originally released on the EP, an overall good song.  “Hustling” follows, a very dance floor type track with a flowing chorus, hard hitting beats.  “Miss You” is filled with emotional lyrics, fitting to its’ title.  Foster shows his vocal strengths, “Smile at the chance just to see you again..” he sings out.  The album closes with the track “Warrant.”  After a drawn out intro, quiet beats come in, eventually get louder and faster as the song progresses.  Bass lines make a huge impact, leading into piano and drums.  “Warrant” quickly becomes a song about battle with interself.  “Got to get away from the war inside my head.” Foster sings out during the chorus.  Overall, “Warrant” is a great closer to an even better debut album. 

Foster The People’s Torches isn’t the album of the year.  It has some kinks and I think it is one of those albums you have to spin 4-5 times before you fall in love with it.  However, Torches is a solid debut and sets the stage for good things to come from Foster The People.

-rooka