User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Total Life Forever
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Total Life Forever Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 112 Ratings

  • Summary: The follow-up to the British rock band's 2008 debut Antidotes was produced by Luke Smith.

Top Track

Spanish Sahara
So I walked into the haze And a million dirty ways Now I see you lying there Like a lie low losing air, air Black rocks and shoreline sand Still... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. The A.V. Club
    Dec 21, 2010
    91
    TLF is a bid to be less in your face than in your head, and while its effect is less immediate, it's a comedown that's way more fun than the party.
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    85
    It's the ambiguity of styles, the insistence on bringing the listener along for a journey, that makes Total Life Forever such an endlessly interesting statement.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    Total Life Forever is still thoroughly identifiable as a Foals album, their personality and songwriting quirks shine through even the thickest of creative haze--they're making pop out of art, which is a pretty good recipe for a young band.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    It takes half a dozen listens before the quality of it really sinks in, and is so all over the place that only the most devoted won't find it initially maddening. But throughout is a braveness and naive sense of wonder.
  5. cokemachineglow
    78
    With Total Life Forever, Foals have objectively identified the shortcomings (shouted vocals, claustrophobic song structures) of their first album, and erased them while keeping their trademark mathematical riffing intact.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    70
    It's not got the immediate clout of Antidotes; and it's not one to spin when prepping for a party (it's actually kind of a downer, apart from 'Miami', which kills). But if you work with it, something really ghostly happens.
  7. Austin Chronicle
    50
    Foals' major label debut, Total Life Forever, keeps those elements intact, most notably on the title track and in the calculated urgency and cold sweat of "After Glow," but the band has redesigned the template to include a more expansive pop approach evinced by sprawling centerpiece "Spanish Sahara."

See all 30 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. darthpat
    Sep 14, 2011
    10
    I love this record, a lot. I love the aquatic sound, how every guitar strum sounds like an echo underwater. I love the melodies and the lyricsI love this record, a lot. I love the aquatic sound, how every guitar strum sounds like an echo underwater. I love the melodies and the lyrics and the whole kit and caboodle.… Expand
  2. tottihead
    Jan 1, 2013
    10
    This is such an amazing album. Definitely one of my favourites of all time. I love how this album is such a departure from their firstThis is such an amazing album. Definitely one of my favourites of all time. I love how this album is such a departure from their first release, yet still amazing.… Expand
  4. Amos982
    Sep 29, 2010
    10
    Am absolute masterpiece of a record, the first half is gorgeous, swelling songs that culminate in the genius that is spanish sahara. songsAm absolute masterpiece of a record, the first half is gorgeous, swelling songs that culminate in the genius that is spanish sahara. songs like This Orient and Fugue, slow it down at times but in general this is a truly fantastic album.… Expand
  5. Sheva271102
    Sep 15, 2019
    9
    It's an amazing album that shows growth from their signature math rock music. (9/10)

    Favorite tracks: Spanish Sahara, This Orient, and 2    It's an amazing album that shows growth from their signature math rock music. (9/10)

    Favorite tracks: Spanish Sahara, This Orient, and 2 Trees.
    Least favorite track: Fugue.    … Expand
  6. AdrianOst077
    Jan 3, 2023
    9
    This album review is going to be biased due to the fact that the rating is heavily influenced by the nostalgia I have for this album. It wasThis album review is going to be biased due to the fact that the rating is heavily influenced by the nostalgia I have for this album. It was the first album I listened to by Foals and the album that made me the fangirl I am for this band. Their decision to leave the "math rock" sound on Antidotes behind and go with a new style, one that is delicate and full of emotions, makes this album unique in its own way. The way this album is composed truly is one of its kind, After Glow, Black Gold and Spanish Sahara are the songs that reinforce that point. The way the songs crescendo and then mellow down towards the end is a style that I love. It's simple yet complex, it's pure and touching, with a more emotional and personal side shown by Yannis in this album, something he rarely showed in Antidotes with maybe the exception of Big Big Love (Fig.2). Even though it isn't a must hear album labelled by AOTY, I highly recommend it.
    Also the fact that Wear & Tear didn't make the album is criminal and it's the only complaint I have about this album    … Expand
  7. SilverMan
    Jun 12, 2012
    8
    A huge change for the band, not bad at all. First half of the album it's really great, but the second half, the album slows down and gets moreA huge change for the band, not bad at all. First half of the album it's really great, but the second half, the album slows down and gets more sentimentalist. Just "After Glow"(maybe the best song) gives power to this part. Overall, it shouldn't be taken as a big mistake of the band...… Collapse
  8. fredphoesh
    Aug 12, 2010
    5
    This album is patchy. There are some really lovely bits, particularly the first 30 seconds of many of the songs, but then it gets spoiled byThis album is patchy. There are some really lovely bits, particularly the first 30 seconds of many of the songs, but then it gets spoiled by some "trying-too-hard" and constipated vocals and awkward arrangements. I think they are trying to be a blend of talking heads, radiohead and dirty projectors, but are not anywhere near as good or original as any of those. 6/10 is generous. With XX, probably the most over-rated album of the year and I have not once managed to sit through the entire Foals album.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2010
66
#66 Most Shared Album of 2010

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »