Foster the People’s album Supermodel includes a track called “A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon.” While the song itself might not be about lunar demolition, exploring the chords within it offers a great case study. Understanding the context of the album and the band’s evolution provides a richer experience when dissecting the song’s harmonic structure. Let’s delve into this track and the album it resides on.
From Electropop Sensations to Indie Rock Explorers
Foster the People burst onto the scene with their debut album, Torches, a collection of infectiously catchy electropop tunes. “Pumped Up Kicks” dominated the airwaves, and tracks like “Helena Beat” and “Call It What You Want” cemented their status as a band to watch. Torches was a vibrant and unique sound, making the follow-up a highly anticipated release.
Supermodel: A Shift in Sonic Landscape
With Supermodel, Foster the People took a different approach, venturing into the realm of indie rock. This transition saw a move away from the heavily electronic sound of Torches toward a more band-oriented feel. While still retaining some electronic elements, Supermodel showcased a grittier, more organic sound.
This shift divided fans. Some appreciated the band’s willingness to evolve and explore new sonic territories. Others felt that they had abandoned the unique sound that made them so appealing in the first place.
“A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon”: A Case Study
“A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon” exemplifies this shift. The song features soaring backing vocals, pounding pianos, and what the original article calls “clever chords.” It leans heavily into the indie rock sound, creating a dramatic and powerful atmosphere.
While not a bad song, the author of the original article notes that it sounds like the work of “a million other indie rock acts.” The distinct Foster the People sound is somewhat lost in this track, a common criticism of Supermodel as a whole. The author questions whether this dourness truly represents artistic growth.
To analyze the chords effectively, one would need the sheet music or a reliable chord chart. However, the review points out the cleverness in the chord progression near the end of the song suggesting it departs from simple major/minor chords common in pop music, and may incorporate more complex harmonies or inversions.
Dissecting the Lyrical and Musical Themes
Without exact chords, we can still analyze the lyrical themes. The title itself, “A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon,” is intriguing and evokes a sense of grand ambition and perhaps even self-destruction. This aligns with the album’s overall themes of identity, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a superficial world.
Musically, the song builds to a crescendo, creating a sense of urgency and drama. The “pounding pianos” and “soaring backing vocals” contribute to this feeling, suggesting a powerful and emotional performance.
The Broader Context: Supermodel’s Reception
Supermodel received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised the band’s ambition and willingness to experiment, others felt that the album lacked the spark and originality of Torches. The move away from electropop alienated some fans, while the indie rock sound failed to fully capture the band’s unique identity.
Conclusion: An Album of Transition
Supermodel represents a pivotal moment in Foster the People’s career. It’s an album of transition, where the band grappled with their identity and explored new sonic landscapes. While “A Beginner’s Guide to Destroying the Moon” and other tracks may not have fully captured the magic of Torches, they showcase the band’s willingness to take risks and evolve. The “clever chords” mentioned hints at the band’s deeper musicality. The album serves as a stepping stone in their journey, paving the way for future experimentation and growth. While analyzing this album and its individual chords, remember musical taste is subjective, and this review shows one perspective of the album.
