Supermodel, the sophomore album from Foster the People, often leaves people with an impression that it is generic power-pop that failed to live up to Torches, especially "Pumped Up Kicks." Personally, I think it was a successful attempt by Foster the People to get rid of the fame and pressure that came with Torches. However, in my opinion, the commercial sabotage did not dull the artistic integrity and quality of the album.
Probably, the reason why Supermodel is disliked by critics and lauded by long-time fans is that it's not an album you'll instantly love. However, I enjoy these types of albums because, in my opinion, they offer a more rewarding and enjoyable repeat listening experience. As much as I love straightforward songs on the album like "Best Friend," I love the sonic depth that more subtle cuts off the album like "Nevermind" and "Goats in Trees" have. These songs are softer and slower, and it's easy to gloss over these tracks. But, they have an incredible nuance to them without being overproduced.
Also, while Supermodel works in the typical "perfect pop album" framework, it doesn't shy away from being more experimental. The diversity of the influences in this album make it lively but not incoherent. The transition between the psychedelic rocker "Pseudologia Fantastica" into the Brian Wilson inspired harmonies of "The Angelic Welcome of Mr. Jones" illustrates the spirit of Supermodel. "Are You What You Want to Be?" feels like a snapshot of frontman Mark Foster's time in North Africa. It incorporates a sharp juxtaposition of the Afrobeat-influenced verses and the anthemic choruses typical to an American pop song. "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon" turns a sample of A$AP Rocky's "LVL" into a heavy rock tune.
Supermodel, overall, is held together by the vision of the band. Mark Foster's lyrics are incisive and meaningful, with a vocal delivery to match. Cubbie Fink and Mark Pontius provide great bass and drum performances, respectively. Also, Paul Epworth really enhanced the production on the record. It's an album that is mature beyond the years Foster the People were together at the time. In my opinion, I'd encourage you to give a few listens to this album, and maybe you'll love it as much as I do.
Why I Love: Installment 1 - Supermodel
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