The band was formed in 2005 by Philippakis and Bevan, both former members of math rock band The Edmund Fitzgerald, and Andrew Mears of Youthmovies. Mears left the band after their first single to focus on Youthmovies. In January 2018, it was announced that Walter Gervers was also leaving the band.
In early 2007, the band released the limited edition 7" singles Hummer and Mathletics, both produced by Gareth Parton. In the summer of 2007 Foals began working on their debut album in New York. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio, however, the band decided to mix the album themselves, stating that Sitek made the first master copy of the album sound like "it was recorded in the Grand Canyon". Yannis has stated multiple times during various interviews that Foals and Dave Sitek are on good terms, even though the copy by Sitek was rejected by the band.
Foals released their debut album, entitled Antidotes, on 24 March 2008 in the UK and 8 April 2008 in the US. The album was a commercial success in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 3 in the UK Albums Charts. The album was a minor success in other countries, charting in Japan, France and the Netherlands. Non-UK versions of the album include the early Parton produced singles.
In August 2009, Foals started recording their second album at Svenska Grammofon Studion in Gothenburg, Sweden. The album, Total Life Forever, has been described by the band members as sounding like "tropical prog" and "like the dream of an eagle dying". The band have described the album as being "a lot less funk" than they had originally planned. The album was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of Clor, and its title is named after an element of Ray Kurzweil's theory of singularity. The band's frontman Yannis Philippakis has professed a long time interest in futurology, with it informing numerous songs on Total Life Forever.
On 1 March 2010, the promotional single "Spanish Sahara" was first played on Zane Lowe's show Radio 1. Foals' new website was updated that night with the release of a video for the track directed by longtime collaborator Dave Ma. On 6 March, the Total Life Forever site was officially launched. Puzzles revealed images, lyrics and sound clips of songs from the album. The last clip appeared on 12 March, and resulted with a password entry for the Foals' new website. The site was opened on 13 March and presented the whole new art concept and media including samples of songs, photos and videos. Lead single "This Orient" was released on 3 May 2010. The album was finally released on 10 May 2010. "Spanish Sahara" was later released as a full physical single in September 2010, featuring an edited remix starring the strings of London Contemporary Orchestra. The album was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize.
http://foals.co.uk
Albatross
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Around your neck
You got a hundred broken lightbulbs above your head
They said that you had it coming but I wouldn't bet
'Cause you got a slowly ticking time bomb and then you see red
Sunblind
Sunblind
You got an albatross around your neck
Around your neck
You got a pile of broken wishbones under your bed
And you got a hungry green eyed monster that you keep fed
And it keeps on coming over it wants you dead
Sunblind
Sunblind
You burnt the lungs
That your ancestors created
You sat by the banks
Of the river and you waited
Till time rolled back
And the water had abated
You drank your share
But you still could not be sated
Quicksands of the mind
And the sinkholes you may find
When you look through
The twisting of the vines
(Twisting of the vines)
Time comes round again
Is itching at your bone
Chill wind comes round
It's blowing through your home
Quicksands of the mind
And the sinkholes you may find
When you look through
The twisting of the vines
You burnt the lungs
That your ancestors created
You sat by the banks
Of the river and you waited
Till time rolled back
And the water had abated
You drank your share
But you still could not be sated
You said you're scared
Of the clocks that keep ticking over
We'll find a way
For a life that's worth living over
Again and again
For a life that's worth living over
Again and again
A life that's worth living over
Again and again
Again and again and again
Again again
Again and again and again
Foals’ “Albatross” is a haunting track about being stuck in a cycle of anxiety, fear, and regret. The first verse sets the stage with imagery of an albatross around one’s neck, a symbol of a burden that cannot be escaped. The second part describes a pile of broken wishbones under the bed, illustrating a sense of hopelessness and a lack of good luck. The lyrics then move on to the deeper issue of a “slowly ticking time bomb,” possibly referring to the feeling of being trapped in a situation that will inevitably lead to a breakdown or outburst. The chorus’s repetition of “sunblind” may symbolize a state of being blinded by the light, or the overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety.
The second verse continues the theme of being stuck, using the imagery of hunger and a green-eyed monster that keeps coming back for more. The line “you burnt the lungs that your ancestors created” is a metaphor for destroying the environment or damaging the past, leading to an uncertain future. The sense of regret for not acting sooner is also palpable in the line “you still could not be sated.” The bridge focuses on the twisting of the vines, which symbolize the intricate and tangled problems that one cannot escape. It depicts a cycle of fear, regret, and stagnation with the haunting line “time comes round again, itching at your bone.”
Overall, “Albatross” is a cautionary tale about being trapped and unable to escape one’s fears and regrets. It touches on themes of environmental destruction, anxiety, fear, and the need for a way out. The imagery used is powerful and thought-provoking, leaving a lingering sense of unease that matches the subject matter perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
You got an albatross around your neck
You are burdened with a heavy weight that is pulling you down.
Around your neck
This weight is constantly present and causing you discomfort.
You got a hundred broken lightbulbs above your head
You have a lot of failed ideas or projects, represented by the broken light bulbs hanging above you.
They said that you had it coming but I wouldn't bet
People may have foreseen your failure but it doesn't mean they're right or that it's guaranteed to happen.
'Cause you got a slowly ticking time bomb and then you see red
You have an unresolved issue that is gradually building up and will eventually explode, causing you anger.
Sunblind
You are blinded by the glare of an unknown problem or the untenability of your current situation.
You got a pile of broken wishbones under your bed
You have numerous desires, represented by the wishbones that signify hope or wishes, but they're broken and unattainable.
And you got a hungry green eyed monster that you keep fed
You have an envious and covetous aspect in your personality that is constantly being fed, leading to negative effects.
And it keeps on coming over it wants you dead
This consuming desire is overpowering you and leading you to death or ruin.
You burnt the lungs
You smoked, causing harm to your organs and symbolizing self-destructive behavior.
That your ancestors created
Your ancestors passed on this reckless behavior or it may symbolize genetic predisposition leading to health problems.
You sat by the banks
You are waiting and possibly wasting time by the river banks of life.
Of the river and you waited
You waited for something significant to happen, possibly opportunity, enlightenment or redemption.
Till time rolled back
You waited a long time, possibly from youth, for a time that is long gone and may never return.
And the water had abated
The current of life calmed down and you may have missed something because you were idle and stuck in the past.
You drank your share
You lived your life and tasted the fruits of it.
But you still could not be sated
Despite being alive and having opportunities, you remain unsatisfied and want more.
Quicksands of the mind
Your thoughts and feelings constantly shifting and making you feel uneasy or trapped.
And the sinkholes you may find
You face many potential dangers or difficulties that may cause negative effects.
When you look through
When you analyze or examine your life and surroundings.
The twisting of the vines
The obstacles and hindrances that make it difficult to achieve success or happiness.
Time comes round again
Time brings new circumstances or opportunities and you have to be ready for them.
Is itching at your bone
You feel restless or eager to begin anew.
Chill wind comes round
Cold, harsh and difficult times will come.
It's blowing through your home
The harsh times will affect your family, friends and surroundings.
You said you're scared
You admit being afraid of possible regrets or of repeating past failures.
Of the clocks that keep ticking over
You fear the passage of time, feeling that it's slipping or controlling you.
We'll find a way
You are determined to overcome obstacles and hardships that come in your way.
For a life that's worth living over
You seek a life that is fulfilling, satisfying and in accordance with your goals and desires.
Again and again
You will keep trying and pursuing your dreams.
A life that's worth living over
You want to live a life that is full of meaning, positivity and happiness.
Again and again
You will never give up and keep trying to realize that life.
Again again
Repetition emphasizes your determination and willpower.
Again and again and again
You are prepared to face and overcome any obstacle or difficulty, no matter how many times it presents itself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK WILLIAM BEVAN, WALTER JAMES MORRISON GERVERS, YANNIS BARNABAS EMANUEL PHILIPPAKIS, JAMES ANDREW SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind