By Factory James

Foster the People are blazing through 2011 on a bubblegum, rave rocket with some serious hype fueling the trip. Thanks to their explosive ,self-titled EP and stellar reviews from SXSW and Coachella gigs, FTP have a lot of high expectations weighing on the release of their first full-length album Torches.

“Helena” kicks off the album with a synthy groove that backs up a sugary chorus “yeah yeah, and it’s okay,” tempting us all to feel, (however temporarily,) that same sentiment. Next comes the ever-familiar “Pumped Up Kicks,” and let’s be honest, it’s the only reason we’re all here. This song came out blasting over an Anna Sui runway show a few seasons back, and I distinctly remember the obsession that commenced in finding the responsible culprits. It still rules. The end.

The next two tracks, “Call It What You Want” and “Don’t Stop,” bring those same “yeah, yeahs,” and mix them with more familiar chords and beats. The mid point of the album, “Waste” sounds almost exactly the same as “Pumped Up Kicks.” The lyrical difference between them is the saving grace: “ When the monsters they won’t go/ The windows they won’t close/ I’ll pretend to see what you see.” There’s also a glaring similarity to past MGMT sounds.

“Houdini” is fun with an infection, booming, hand-clapping snare. It has a diggable, spacey feel as well. “Life on the Nickel” and “Miss You” flaunt pulsating drum lines, synth, and vocals like ‘90s Jamiroquai that serve as filler. Bring on the moving floors. Choir vocals rise up and fade out in “Warrant,” the last track of the album, and to be honest, those vocals were the only distinctive trait that track had going for it.

Foster The People made a real job out of stretching one great song into nine mediocre ones. The magic of “Pumped Up Kicks,” blaring through fashion show speakers coaxed many ears into jumping on the FTP bandwagon. Maybe so, and maybe Torches is nothing more than an attempted flash in the pan. Even so, there is something inherently comforting about its familiarity that might make Torches a fine summer soundtrack. Hopefully their live performances back up the sold out tour dates and keep Foster the People fueled long after Torches burns out.

2.75 out of 5

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