Foster The People

The easy first comment to make about Foster The People’s new “Houdini” single is that it’s magical. However, trying to get away from a troubling relationship can oftentimes feel like Houdini attempting to remove himself from a locked-to-the-extreme contraption. One big difference between a Houdini trick and real life, however, is that magicians are using slight of hand. Yet in real life, you can only fool some of the people, some of the time. Foster The People is a Los Angeles trio, and “Houdini” comes from the act’s upcoming Pumped Up Kicks CD.

The song sounds like it is part R&B dance track, part bubblegum pop song. The groove is fun and upbeat, with a whistle-like keyboard melody line. The recording, with its clipped lead vocal line and choir-like backing singing, appears ready-made for summer. It’s the sort of song you can easily picture a grammar school girl humming while skipping to down a neighborhood sidewalk. There’s an innocence about it, which is both contagious and reassuring. Yes, they still make music that is simply fun. No, not all songs are PG-13 or above. If all of this music is some strange new magic, Foster The People needs to share their secrets -- and fast. The pop charts could sure use a lot more fun music like this.

‘Like’ our facebook page and be entered into a draw to win 1000 CDs including rare, signed and promotional copies here!