The Phoenix Foundation – Horsepower

The Phoenix Foundation – Horsepower / 2006 Caravan / 11 Tracks / http://www.phoenixfoundation.co.nz / Reviewed 26 May 2006

The dreamy pop of “Sister Risk” is a low-key entrance into the popular music world. The bass line might be pretty active, but the overall sound shows The Phoenix Foundation as a band that coasts on a certain inertia. The first few tracks of “Horsepower” shows much of the same sound; at least, at some point The Phoenix Foundation is constant in the style of music that they commit to disc. However, where I see a problem is the band’s ability to get individuals interested in the music. The style and ability of the band should never be called into question, but The Phoenix Foundation’s laid-back sound during “Horsepower” is something that works against the band during the early goings of the disc. For example, during the stretched-out guitar lines of “This Charm Van”, the skill is shown to be without comparison but there is little that individuals can do to get motivated and interested in the music that The Phoenix Foundation play.

In a sense, “This Charm Van” sounds as if Chris Isaak was still cutting music in the same vein as “Baby Did a Bad Thing”. The disc is three-fourths of an hour but the slower tempo in which The Phoenix Foundation couch all the songs on the disc makes an individual feel as if they have been listening to the band for hours. For the next album that The Phoenix Foundation cuts, more differentiation needs to be made to ensure that individuals are brought into the disc and made to stay. The weak set of vocals that “The Swarm” has during its runtime perhaps is the weakest part of “Horsepower”; even if this move was intentional, the effect is negative instead of positive. The Phoenix Foundation may be one of the biggest bands in New Zealand, but they really need to tighten up their dreamy-pop sound before succeeding here in the United States.

Tracks may be solid and full of pop goodness, but there is little present that will get individuals clamoring for more. The production is solid throughout the disc, but seems to have an offday during “The Swarm”. By focusing in on the interplay between the instruments that occur during “St. Kevin”, The Phoenix Foundation can be on their way to taking the United States over by storm. Here’s hoping they change up their sound for their next few releases. Pass on this disc for now, but don’t pass on The Phoenix Foundation.

Top Tracks: St Kevin, Sally

Rating: 4.0/10

[JMcQ]