SPIN
August 2011
Link
6/10
Not to be confused with Fool's Gold Records, this Los Angeles quintet distilled a refreshing blend of African influences and Hebrew-language vocals on their 2009 self-titled debut. Featuring three members of indie-rock vets Foreign Born, Fool's Gold sidesteps here toward shiny '80s pop -- sung in English -- on their sophomore album. Synths glimmer on "Street Clothes"; the title track has that Smiths/R.E.M. jangle. Though still sunny and hooky, Leave No Trace lacks the enigmatic spark of its predecessor, especially now that the words are more readily understandable.