Review Summary: Foxy Shazam creates a sound that is relatable and familiar, while remaining unique and original. I highly recommend this album to anybody who loves high energy, tightly composed songs with catchy melodies.
I first heard about Foxy Shazam from a friend I would not normally view as a music buff. They saw a music video they found amusing and thought I would enjoy it. At first I didn't think much of this band, but they quickly became one of my favorites.
Eric Sean Nally’s vocals are phenomenal throughout the album. He sings in diverse styles that lead to some of the greatest moments of the album. His performance ranges from screaming, high energy wails, to soft melodic passages. The overlaying of vocal tracks on tracks like Bye Bye Symphony really adds to the story created by each track. The choir featured on some of the albums later tracks welcome a new layer to the different tracks, specifically in Oh Lord and Connect.
Percussion on the album is steady throughout and drives each song with a great amount of energy. There isn’t anything amazing going on in this category but it does provide a strong backbone to every piece. The bass tracks on most of the songs serve a similar purpose, though they are a lot less prominent then the drum track; most listeners will not even notice the bass chugging along in the background. The bass takes a stronger focus in the latter songs of the album. Additional percussion in songs like Second Floor and Connect is a welcomed addition that, while easily overlooked, provides a nice variation and adds to the mood of the songs.
In the foreground the guitars, piano, and horns really give life and color to most of the songs. Guitars for the most part pluck out chords that serve their purpose, or harmonize with the melody line. The opening guitar solo in Bombs Away! is a highlight for guitar. The horns and piano are really the strongest parts of most songs other than the vocals. Horns are not extremely common in popular music, but they should be because they meld so well into every song. Whether they provide a warm, inviting sound, or a sharp, piercing color, they always have a way to enhance the mood of every song.
Notable Tracks:
Wanna-Be Angel: This start started as one of my favorite songs on the album but was soon over shadowed by the later tracks.
Bye Bye Symphony: This is the first track where I was truly captivated. From the orchestral arrangements to the varying moods, this is one of the albums strongest songs.
Unstoppable: Has the same idea as We Are The Champions or We Will Rock You, a chanty sing along that gets you pumped. I am not a huge fan of this song, but most people will love it.
Oh Lord: From the opening horn section, you know that this song is going to be something special. Written to Sean’s song, Julian, it is an extremely optimistic and uplifting song. It is sure to lift anybodies spirits. The song is dense with many layers to satisfy your ear.
The Only Way To My Heart…: This song provides some of the greatest and craziest lyrics on the album, and that’s pretty crazy. It has a kind of bluesy feel to it which makes it stand out from the other tracks. Towards the end of the song Foxy returns to a heavier style, which may be off-putting to some, but to those that appreciate it, is a treat.
Evil Thoughts: Amazing way to end the album, probably my favorite song on the album too. It provides nice closer to the album and is slower more thoughtful piece that is truly remarkable.
What Foxy Shazam is good at it is keeping you glued to the album, with great song after great song. Every song is distinct in its own right, blurring lines between many different influences. One of the only criticisms I have is that the album almost becomes unfocused after awhile. I feel as though a different track listing might have helped this a little bit. The album is fairly short so this is not a big issue but it’s still slightly detracts from the experience. Foxy Shazam provides a powerful, thrill ride, that is full of humor and excitement. I highly recommend everybody check out this album.
