ambassadors of peace & magic
The record has a vintage psychedelic sound, for sure. But it doesn't really need it. Where Take the Kids bounced around the sixties dial, rarely lingering anywhere for long, Ambassadors is much more focused in form and sequence. There is still a good deal of pretending and miming: singer Sam France can be anyone, Mick Jagger or Ray Davies, Elvis or Iggy. But on the best songs like "On Blue Mountain," he's a cult leader or "San Fransisco," a lackadaisical love interest. Basically, he's becoming a storyteller. That's what gives Ambassadors more mainstream appeal than previous Foxygen releases. It's certainly way cool and unique, but Sam's lyrics, while they can be sometimes strange, are kind of relatable.
The striking thing about Foxygen is their age. Barely out of high school, they seem well-versed in where music has been, and certainly where it can go. If they keep it together, they have the potential to be one of the best bands of the era. They certainly seem comfortable in the studio, probably due to Richard Swift's help. I will admit some jealousy, being such a huge Kinks fan, but never knowing quite how to rip them off.
With two albums within one year, they also seem rather prolific. Drummer Shaun Fleming released an impressive album as Diane Coffee this year, and Jonathan Rado released a decent solo affair, Law and Order. These guys definitely aren't squandering the opportunities being given to them. With the follow up to Ambassadors reportedly in the works, they seem poised to ride the rainbow to psychedelic success.
