Album Review: Foxes - 'Organic Vessels'

Anyone still confused about the well-worn adage that suggests ‘never judge a book by its cover’ should find suitable reinforcement from the new album by locals Foxes. The engaging album art looks like a psychedelic, doom-inspired trip to the never-never (circa 1970). Well, this nine-track offering is simply not in the same mould as contemporaries Pallbearer or The Sword, so let’s quickly end assumed comparisons. But hey, the band is from Perth, so it’s still a journey (of sorts).

‘Organic Vessels’ is an emotive release – both impassioned and sensitive. Extra points too for stumbling across this band on Facebook (the myriad of other bands with the same name certainly complicates any attempts at convenience). The collection of tracks is a mix of post-hardcore, rock and perhaps (excuse the dirty word) emo.

‘Post Utopia’ is a little misplaced for an introduction. At six-and-a-half minutes, a short and sharp track might’ve better served the beginning. However, it does offer insight into the band’s style and overall purpose. The delivery is where the impact is created, not through an overly polished, overly produced, crisp sound that is gleamed to excessive perfection. ‘Ossuary’ underpins this point and, as the third track, is where ‘Organic Vessels’ becomes a welcoming beast. There’s energy and intent that mixes well.

The band is sensible when sticking to their chosen range. In specific instances, you can hear heavier influences that seem lifted from the Josh Scogin rulebook of vocal delivery, but it remains an influence instead of a mere replication. ‘Albino Bambino’ and ‘Humungous Fungus’ temper things in the middle.

The sounds do tend to dip their toes in both ends of the water. At times, the record feels like it’s going to embrace a heavier front, while, at equal and competing points, it falls back on expressive and gentle tones. It can be deterring if you’re purely looking for one direction over the other, but the glass half-full approach suggests this makes ‘Organic Vessels’ more inviting and appealing to a wider range of preferential listeners.

Closer ‘The Wind and the Wallow’ will have you reaching for the volume switch early on, but its punchy end ensures Foxes sign off on the right note. We’ve made the point before, but if you’re sick of the overly marketed, breakdown heavy saturation found in other similar local music markets, Foxes will provide a welcome alternative.

'Organic Vessels' contains a sincerity to it that makes the record more relatable than other, more generic, releases. It seems to grow with each listen, which is a good thing. Initially, the album is pleasing to the ears, but after multiple spins the impact seems to retain itself with a greater capacity.

1. Post Utopia

2. Cosmic Ballet

3. Ossuary

4. Albino Bambino

5. Humungous Fungus

6. Stomp The Earthworm

7. Pariah

8. Big Ben

9. The Wind and the Wallow