Wikipedia

Foma (album)

Foma is the second album by the American band the Nixons, released in 1995.[2][3] Its title was inspired by the 1963 novel Cat's Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut. "Foma" is defined in the album's liner notes as "harmless untruths intended to comfort simple souls; lies."[4] Foma has sold more than 500,000 copies.[5]

Foma
Studio album by
The Nixons
ReleasedMay 23, 1995
RecordedOne and One and Devonshire Studios, N. Hollywood, CA
GenreAlternative rock, hard rock
LabelMCA[1]
ProducerMark Dodson, The Nixons
The Nixons chronology
Halo
(1994) 		Foma
(1995) 		The Nixons
(1997)

The Nixons supported the album by touring with Gravity Kills.[6] "Sister" was a hit on alternative rock radio.[7]

Production edit

Recorded in Hollywood, the album was produced by Mark Dodson and the band.[8][9] Seven of the tracks are rerecorded songs from the band's debut; of the remaining six, only three were written specifically for Foma.[10][11]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [12]

AllMusic staff writer Erik Crawford wrote "Foma opens with a scream and then delivers a hard rock romp that will delight fans of the heavy alternative genre".[12] The St. Petersburg Times praised the "aggressively hard-rockin' yet intelligent borderline metal sound."[13] The Dallas Morning News labeled Foma "old-fashioned big-statement rock with big-statement chords."[14]

The Dallas Observer called the album "enervating musically and downright silly and infuriating lyrically ... Which means, in short, they ain't no damn good any way you slice it."[15] The Santa Fe New Mexican concluded that "with the exception of 'Sister', none of the 13 cuts on Foma stand out either musically or lyrically; they are not particularly distinguishable from the general din that is modern rock radio."[16] The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the band "pleasantly derivative."[17]

Track listing edit

All songs by The Nixons/Lyrics by Zac Maloy except where indicated.

  1. "Foma" – 3:13
  2. "Head" – 4:05
  3. "Sweet Beyond" – 3:32
  4. "Sister" – 4:28
  5. "Smile" – 4:07
  6. "JLM" (Jesus Loves Me) (William Batchelder Bradbury/ Anna Bartlett Warner) – 0:24
  7. "Fellowship" – 4:12
  8. "Wire" – 5:15
  9. "Trampoline" – 4:44
  10. "Drink the Fear" – 4:36
  11. "Blind" – 5:56
  12. "Passion" – 4:28
  13. "Happy Song" – 6:18

Personnel edit

Additional personnel edit

  • C.J. DeVillar – engineer
  • Mark Dodson – engineer, producer
  • Willie Dowling – string arrangements
  • Eric Fischer – mixing assistant
  • Kelle Musgrave – production coordination
  • Eddy Schreyer – mastering
  • Michele Sepe – angel's voice
  • Mike Stock – engineer
  • Glenn Tipton – guitar solo on "Drink the Fear"
  • Toby Wright – mixing

Charts edit

Album - Billboard (United States)

Year Chart Position
1996 The Billboard 200[18] 77

Singles - Billboard (United States)

Year Single Chart Position
1996 "Sister" Alternative Songs 11

References edit

  1. ^ Carman, Becky. "How do The Nixons hold up 20 years later?". The Oklahoman.
  2. ^ "The Nixons Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Bessman, Jim (Apr 8, 1995). "MCA nominates The Nixons for cross-format success". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 14. p. 14.
  4. ^ Foma (CD booklet). The Nixons. MCA. 1995.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ Wolgamott, L Kent (13 Sep 1996). "Edgefest". Lincoln Journal Star. p. D1.
  6. ^ Findlay, Prentiss (13 June 1996). "Life on the road is rough for the roadie". The Post and Courier. p. E8.
  7. ^ Terlesky, John (7 Apr 1996). "IT HASN'T BEEN AN EASY CAMPAIGN FOR RECOGNITION FOR THE NIXONS". The Morning Call. p. F3.
  8. ^ Nichols, Natalie (June 9, 1995). "Norman's Nixons Profit From Radio Saturation". Entertainment. Tulsa World. p. 4.
  9. ^ Flick, Larry (Mar 23, 1996). "Sister". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 12. p. 76.
  10. ^ Pensinger, Matt (16 Feb 1996). "Road trips fuel the Nixons". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. AA15.
  11. ^ Ferman, Dave (June 15, 1995). "Nothing tricky about the nixons". LIFE & ARTS. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 3.
  12. ^ a b Crawford, Erik. Foma at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  13. ^ Boyko, Ron (4 Aug 1995). "The Nixons: Foma". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 13.
  14. ^ Gubbins, Teresa (June 11, 1995). "The Nixons Foma". The Dallas Morning News. p. 6C.
  15. ^ Wilonsky, Robert. "Jesus, this is really bad". Dallas Observer.
  16. ^ Koster, Michael (7 June 1996). "EDGEFEST 2: IT'S THE ONLY BIG GIG AROUND". PASATIEMPO. The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 33.
  17. ^ Sherr, Sara (13 Sep 1996). "THE NIXONS/IMPERIAL DRAG". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 19.
  18. ^ "The Billboard 200". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 23. Jun 8, 1996. p. 118.
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