Review Summary: Undeniably talented, but undeniably indefinable. Foxy Shazam knocks it out of the park again on this very "rock n' roll" album.
The now six-piece act, with the addition of Look Afraid frontman and horn player Alex Nauth, from Cincinnati strays far from the sounds that could be found on their 2005 debut, The Flamingo Trigger, while honing many different inspirations on their newest release Foxy Shazam. This album is a good major label debut for these soulful gentlemen.
The self-titled major label debut retains some of the sounds heard on Introducing, while at the same time throw in some arena rock influences for good measure. The album starts off with
Intro where Eric asks a few dogs to “assist [him] in a song.” The song kicks off the album with a bang, moving steadily into the next track on the album, which is
Bombs Away. This second track is very reminiscent of a feel good party song that could be found as a B-Side to Introducing, with some horns thrown in to add some much needed Mardi Gras-esque flavor. The song is short and to the point, and is a pretty good track overall. This song really encompasses all the elements of the band, including the newest member to the group Alex.
Bombs Away includes a quick little guitar solo followed by a nice horn solo, which may or may not be a trumpet. The song fades out on a short little piano piece.
The third track on the album is the first song I heard off this album, which is
Wanna Be Angel. This song has some very unique lyrics, which is something that fans of the band have become used to over the years. The song is extremely infectious and features some of the best vocal performances on the record. Eric has always been known for his unique vocal style and high pitch sound. This is another track, which features a high level of performance from the newest member of the band. Overall this song really does have single potential written all over it, and may put this once underground band in the spotlight. This song is followed by
Count Me Out, which is where the arena rock inspirations begin on this album. The beginning of this song, clearly the band was honing in on the spirits of Freddie Mercury and Queen. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album, as it has a certain swagger that no artist at this time can duplicate. The chorus of this song features almost the entire band singing behind Eric. The song goes into a bridge some interesting solo vocals, then progressing into a choir of voices to kick off the last chorus of the song. This song smoothly transitions into
Unstoppable which is another track with single potential.
Unstoppable is the most rocking song on the album, which large guitars and vocals soaring over a quick hitting drum beat. This song was actually featured during the Superbowl, which is a pretty big honor for a band of this size and popularity. Foxy Shazam truly is unstoppable at this point, with three good records under their belt and a live performance that tops any other band out there today. This song also has a strong arena rock influence with large chorus vocals and background chants throughout the song. After this song, Rock ‘N Roll has a new face, their name is Foxy Shazam.
The sixth album on the track is
Oh Lord which is favorite track on this album. The song opens up with a nice horn intro before crashing into a big wall of horns and drums. The drums are a strong focus in this song, with large bass drum hits and snare beats. I take back my comment that Eric’s vocals are strongest on
Wanna Be Angel this song actual takes that prize. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this song; it is pure perfection down to the whistle solo. I could go on for days about things I like in this song, but instead I will say that this song alone could convince me to buy this album, just so I could hear it. The next track is another winner, and it is called
Bye Bye Symphony. The song has a strong piano focus and fantastic lyrics including the main line of the chorus, as Nally croons to us that “life is a bitch, but she’s totally doable.” Life appears to have a two sided nature as “she’ll knock you around and she’ll lend you a hand.” This song includes a very strong performance by Foxy’s pianist Sky. On a semi related note, I had a chance to meet and talk with Sky and bassist Daisy, who are two of the most down to earth individuals I have ever had the chance of meeting. This band obviously cares a lot about their fans and it shows. Going back to the album, the next track is
Second Floor. which is a track I had to get used to at first. Originally I did not love this song, but the chorus is far too catchy to deny. This song sounds like some sort of stab at either rich people or the popular recording/music industry, either way makes for an interesting track. I absolutely adore the bass line in this song, which Daisy has crafted well.
The next song on the record is a sexy and thrilling track called
Only Way To My Heart. This track is quite the toe tapper. The horns on this song are very well placed and add a whole new dimension. There is a certain element in this song that make it a very stand out performance, but what that is exactly, I cannot express. I feel like I would hear this song at a saloon in the old west, while a bar fight was occurring. This song starts to get chaotic at the tale end, which is something that Foxy fans should be used to by now. This song is a perfect blend of the sound found on Flamingo Trigger and Introducing. The next track on the album is
Evil Thoughts which I would say is the
A Black Man’s Breakfast of this album. The song is pretty slow all the way through, but it keeps my attention during that time. This is another one of my favorite tracks on the album. Eric really sings his heart out on this track, and it really adds to the overall atmosphere of the song. The only problem I find with this song is that Loren’s guitar solo at the end of the track is far too low to be even audible. I crank up this song at the end to hear the excellent solo.
The members of this extremely creative band must have been listening to a bit of disco when they concocted the hit
Killin It. I had to get used to the sound on this track a little, but once I adjusted, I could not stop listening to this song. I get a smile on my face every time I listen to this song, just because of the wonderful chorus. The verse definitely acts as a build up the for the dance/disco chorus. The drumming in the chorus is absolutely infectious. The female vocals on the prechorus really add a unique feel to the song, and addressing Eric in the song is an interesting lyrical move. The musical bridge in this song, almost takes a bit of a salsa feel with the bass and horns synchronizing a few lines. I feel that this is probably the most unique track on the album, and if I had to choose a single that should be played on the radio, it would be this one right here. Unfortunately this creative gem is followed by my least favorite track on the album, which is
Connect Me. I feel that Foxy definitely had a creative idea when they made this track, but I just do not see it. This song is not bad, but it is not that great. I feel like this song never reaches any type of crescendo or climax, and thus there is no resolution, and the track just kind of drags on for three and half minutes. This song definitely did not need to be included, but I totally respect their ambition with this electronic track.
Teenage Demon Baby is another song I had to listen to a few time to fully understand and appreciate. This song makes me think the Fonz and Eddie from Rocky Horror Picture Show, got together and wrote a Rock ‘N Roll Greaser anthem. This is also a very charismatic tune; it makes me want to just keep moving and never stop.
The last track on this album is very strong.
Some Kind of Love is extremely soulful and at points almost doo-woppy. I feel like I would play this song at a drive in movie with my best gal. I really enjoy this song more every time I listen to it. The chorus is a very rock change to the verse, as it is a bit of a poppy 80’s rock chorus. This song features two well placed and well played solos by Mr. Turner.
Flamingo Trigger is Foxy’s experimental album, Introducing is Foxy’s dance album and Foxy Shazam is Foxy’s rock ‘n’ roll album. This is not to say that these albums do not contain songs in different genres, but generally this is how I would categorize them. Go into this album, with a completely open mind, or you may be thrown off by the changes this band has made since their last release. And since Foxy is now a member of Sire Records, I feel that they will continue to put out genre-defining albums, and I will continue this band as they grow and only get better. The Sky (White) is the limit for this indefinable act of chaos and poetry
