FOSTER THE PEOPLE play the Mod Club June 18 and Sound Academy October 1. Limited NXNE wristbands/passes accepted to Mod Club show. See listing. Rating: NNN
Foster the People are often compared to MGMT, but a more accurate description is MGMT without the ambition. Rising to major label status on the strength of a three-song EP and the ubiquitous radio hit Pumped Up Kicks, the out-of-nowhere electro stars haven’t sacrificed on their debut album what got them here in the first place: catchy, danceable pop hooks.
Don’t let Pumped Up Kicks’ singalong school-shooting chorus (yes, you read that right) fool you most of their lyrics are as harmless and trite as anything else you’ll hear on the pop charts.
It’s hardly surprising that lead singer/songwriter Mark Foster reportedly started out writing jingles. His songs are structured around one big, hummable hook and not much else. The L.A. band has a knack for that, but we can’t help wondering if they have anything more sophisticated in store. We’d rather have the next MGMT than the next Maroon 5.
Top track: Pumped Up Kicks
