Personal Best

Few bands have attempted and succeeded in crossing multiple world music genres with critical success – Paul Simon’s “Graceland” being an example.

Yet Foreign Born’s latest album, “Person to Person,” manages the fine art. Released June 23 by Secretly Canadian, Foreign Born’s first label-backed album melds and mixes styles and sounds for a positively synergistic result.

Without muddling and miring the individual genres, Foreign Born conflates African percussive styles with shining indie pop guitar progressions.

The only credible indictment of the album is the weak lyrical construction.
From the opening track, “Blood Oranges,” simplistic lyrics become evident: “In the summer we survived.” Wow, how poetic.

Yet, if the listener can withstand the dull and listless words, intricate musical arrangements make up for it.

Having obviously spent a significant amount of time in the studio, “Person to Person” may sound a bit indulgent. However, the album couldn’t have been better produced.

With multi-layered songs filled with fined tuned harmonies, glorious guitars and elaborate drumming, Foreign Born solidifies itself as an apt and accurate musical group.

Its style is incredibly meticulous. This particular talent becomes evident during the transitions of songs. At the end of “Blood Oranges,” Foreign Born’s soaring vocal harmonies finish the song, while a catchy drumbeat ushers in the next song, “That Old Sun.”

One thing is clear: “Person to Person” is a summer record.

Combining the ebullient, lush instrumentation with affable lyrics, a metaphorical summer heat creeps from the record.

And with titles such as “Vacationing People,” “Can’t Keep Time,” and “See Us Home,” the imagery bears itself proudly.

So, the next time you’re in for a long car ride with the windows down and your hands making waves in the wind, try “Person to Person.”

You won’t be disappointed.