Foma is the second album by the American band the Nixons, released in 1995. 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." Foma has sold more than 500,000 copies.
The Nixons supported the album by touring with Gravity Kills. "Sister" was a hit on alternative rock radio.
Production Recorded in Hollywood, the album was produced by Mark Dodson and the band. Seven of the tracks are rerecorded songs from the band's debut; of the remaining six, only three were written specifically for Foma.
Critical reception
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". The St. Petersburg Times praised the "aggressively hard-rockin' yet intelligent borderline metal sound." The Dallas Morning News labeled Foma "old-fashioned big-statement rock with big-statement chords."
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." 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." The Philadelphia Inquirer deemed the band "pleasantly derivative."
Track listing All songs by The Nixons/Lyrics by Zac Maloy except where indicated. "Foma" – 3:13 "Head" – 4:05 "Sweet Beyond" – 3:32 "Sister" – 4:28 "Smile" – 4:07 "JLM" (Jesus Loves Me) (William Batchelder Bradbury/Anna Bartlett Warner) – 0:24 "Fellowship" – 4:12 "Wire" – 5:15 "Trampoline" – 4:44 "Drink the Fear" – 4:36 "Blind" – 5:56 "Passion" – 4:28 "Happy Song" – 6:18
Personnel Ricky Brooks – bass Jesse Davis – guitar Zac Maloy – guitar, vocals John Humphrey – drums
Additional personnel 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 Album – Billboard (United States) YearChartPosition1996The Billboard 20077 Singles - Billboard (United States) YearSingleChartPosition1996"Sister"Alternative Songs11
References