Foxy Shazam is a retro-glam rock style group from Cinci. It's more of a send up than say, The Darkness, who I would say recreated a sound in a serious attempt to bring it back. Foxy is not a joke band, but they clearly have a sense of humor about themselves. For example, while several of the tracks are straight ahead rock tunes, a horn section plays prominently, and even takes solos. Rock tune, trumpet solo. Funny.
Most of the songs have that big rock anthem feel to them. The back-up singers come out in full force to make the chorus huge. A pseudo-ballad in the middle, "Forever Together" plays with the classic styling a little bit with fast paced mush mouth vocal delivery that could very well be a drunk cousin of the Barenaked Ladies. Another straight up Queen knock off "(It's) Too Late Baby" keeps it together even down to the Brian-May-homemade guitar tone. But are the parenthsis really necessasry?
When they stray from the comfort zone, I think they falter. "Wasted Feelings" is nothing better than a bullshit pop-crossover attempt. Unnecessary auto-drums and a lilty voice about a break-up. "The Streets" too tries to overcompensate with some gospel overtones. It's lyrical expression of "coming from the streets" would actually be cool, except they repeat the chorus too much to keep it from sounding redendant.
Overall, it's a decent record. The concern that the band has to have is that a band who takes itself so lightly will also attract fans who will never be serious about you. A tightened-up songwriting team would be beneficial. (3 of 5 stars)
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