A Massive Compilation Album from The Foxholes
- BuzzSlayers
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The Foxholes have been invading our space with some amazing indie rock for quite some time now, and their most recent effort brings together a series of outstanding singles put together in a sort of compilation format, including songs from various years, showcasing their 20th anniversary as a band.
What The Fox! definitely gives you all you could possibly ask for from a bountiful and catchy rock release, complete with anthemic choruses, fists-in-the-air sing-alongs, and memorable riffs that stick with you for days after songs have ended.
"Invader Proxy" is one of my favorite tracks on the record, as it comes in with some open chords and rolls forward into classic rock-inspired sounds. The vocals are harmonizing almost the entire time, giving you these catchy hooks left and right, even during the verses.
This is a single that certainly lets you understand that these guys can give you edgy overtones and an alternative rock backbone, but always hold tightly onto their pop sensibility.
The record also boasts a lot of material that feels super energetic. This song is no exception to that rule, of course.
"Tiny Speck" gives you some progressive-style riffs and a little bit of a darker overtone, more widespread and slower-paced, and the vocals are just belting out on this one almost the whole time.
The whole vibe of this record, even though it's compiled of songs from different times of the band's lifespan, gives you this live performance sort of vibe.
It's almost like some of these tracks were recorded live, on the floor, all at once.
It feels like the players are feeding off of each other's energy the entire time, and that's part of what gives it that raw rock overtone.
Even if I'm wrong about how they recorded these songs, because of course, I wasn't there, listening to this record makes you want to go see them perform it live, simply because if they can capture this kind of energy on record so well, then seeing them live must be awesome.
Now, this is a record that features both English and Spanish languages, and either way, you get some boisterous approaches when it comes to those vocals.
Some of these songs have a great, spacious, and vast undertone to them. Tracks like "Tierra Ni Hogar" hit with brilliant guitar work and those expansive vocals that sort of cry out.
The track also features some great lead guitar work that's very tastefully done. The lead guitar work across this record can be a bit technical, but for the most part it's got a lot of soul.
Tracks like this one have an almost fantastical undertone. They are very cinematic, composed of layers of guitar work, adding depth to the song.
This is a very robust record. It has really catchy tracks, radio-friendly, and has that pop-coating, but it also has tracks that are more progressive and meaty. I love those filmic, spacious sounds along with the pop sense that these guys deliver, because it's an amazing combination.
The songs sound intense when they want to. This is a band that knows how to build up to climactic moments damn near perfectly, and the whole thing portrays a real love for their craft.
When I say that, I don't just mean playing their instruments or singing; I mean writing songs together that feel big.
Whether it's a more alternative rock sound with bigger, edgier sonic drive, or a pop-riddled indie rock single with catchy hooks and vocals, this record has something for just about everyone.
"Cruzada" hits with some great swagger in that guitar riff. The guitar tones throughout this record are really amazing. Of course, they differ here and there because again, this is a compilation record that brings together songs from different times in the band's career, but the guitar tones are always well thought out and sound like this one delivers loads of that bending approach in the riffs, pushing that soulful and deep-pocketed groove.
The Foxholes dub themselves and adventurous rock band. I completely agree, and this record is something that pretty much proves it.
So, absolutely take a deep dive into this release because not only is it a 20-year celebration of the band's evolution in songwriting and performance, but it also gives you a taste of the different approaches they have, along with a slew of influences they hold close to their hearts.
I would also suggest listening to the entire record, hole in one shot. The songs I mentioned are great as singles on their own two feet, but the whole record gives you a much fuller experience.
So, stop reading and start listening.
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