Foxygen ‘Hang’
review by Scotty Evil
As a club DJ, I have a ton of music to wade through every month. I use various charts and other sources to find the latest dance-floor hits. And last month, on the charts was Foxygen.
“Follow the Leader” was the single in question (can’t seem to find where it was and on what chart now) and I was initially impressed by the ELO/Elton John/Scissor Sisters inspired sound, a real throwback to lush orchestration, horns and back-up vocals. Peppered with the Jagger-esque vocal delivery of Sam France, the rest of the album comes off as a polished dichotomy of styles.
Where the production values seem to have no expense spared, what we seem to be missing is a strong hook or songwriting. As happens with bands at this stage of their growth, the message gets lost in the medium. And as impressive as the tracks sound, less than knowledgable listeners might think this was a collection of Rolling Stone B-sides produced by Phil Spector.
Every song on ‘Hang’ features a 40-plus-piece symphony orchestra arranged and conducted by Trey Pollard with additional arranging from Matthew E. White. Additionally, the album was recorded with the brother rhythm section duo of Brian and Michael D’Addario (also known as the Lemon Twigs) and features Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips on select tracks.
Track by track, it can be unpredictable in where it’s going. Time and tempo changes in almost every song. Eventually it starts to feel schizophrenic, like an orchestra conductor with ADD.
“Hang” is an ambitious progression for the psycho-pop-rock duo of Rado and France. However it seems they are becoming a jack-of-all-trades in their sound. This album would slot nicely into a playlist full of late 60’s/early 70’s am radio hits as musical camouflage.
Well produced, but a miss on the message. However by most reports they are a blast to watch live.
3.5 out of 5
Best track: “Follow the Leader”
Live at the Rickshaw, Thursday, May 25th, 8pm with guests Reptaliens
General admission, $25, 19+ Tickets available HERE
Check out Foxygen performing live on Conan
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written by Scotty Evil