If you thought you knew what The Fool’s Agenda had to offer based off recent singles “Dumb (Take Me Out)” or “Feel So High” then prepare for a revelation when full-length Fool’s Gold comes calling boasting an aural arsenal that’s not only a potpourri of genres but also a celebration of music as a whole.
“Monsters” isn’t so much a tone setter as it is a mood all itself as Rhiannon Raine’s sultry voice and alluring delivery pair nicely with the rhythm section of Jon Gray’s bluesy bass, Kamryn Bode’s subtle percussive attacks and guitars from Kyle Erickson that are quite debonair. “You” sounds like a whole other band (If the endearing sound of The Fool’s Agenda wasn’t so ever present in all that they do) on a track that’s a little Rawkier (Not a word), a little funkier and a whole helluva lot faster with Raine adopting some lower tones during the Grunge-ier vibe here while on that note, “Your Love” sounds straight out of the Singles soundtrack and would be perfect if placed between the tracks contributed by The Lovemongers and Chris Cornell.
“All My Ghosts” is playful but spooky and at times whimsical with Raine’s voice coming in especially epic here while “Stardust” is the one where you can hear The Fool’s Agenda really hit their stride as it arrives right about in the middle of Fool’s Gold like the bottom of a sonic whirlpool where all the sounds that have come before and the ones that will come after circle around, mix together and delightfully drip into what is “Stardust”. “Alone” is lush and mostly serene with subtle strumming from Erickson as Bode and Gray’s performances herald the somber storm ahead followed by the aforementioned “Feel So High” which is gorgeous with sweeping guitars and Raine’s bombastic yet emotive voice at its’ core.
Another single, “Dumb (Take Me Out)” is still a trip every time we hear it with a stomp from Bode that just sticks with you along with Raine’s precision cadence that together serves as a nice last blast before winding down which “Follow The Sun” definitely does with Erickson’s tender licks accenting Raine’s delicate delivery to begin before heading off into the stratosphere when the singer really opens up deeper within the tune. But the hits keep coming with an acoustic version of “Your Love” to wrap up this collection of new recordings and can we just say, while not a reprise, it’s sort of a reprise. And albums that end on reprises are definitely something that needs to start happening again.
Fool’s Gold is out on October 10th and you can make sure you’re the first in your town to hear it by heading here. For more from The Fool’s Agenda, including where to catch Fool’s Gold live at a gig, head to the information superhighway and be sure to stop off here, here, or here for all the socials.