Foxy Shazam – Introducing… (5 out of 5)

Foxy Shazam is a band that you need to know about.  Their first album, The Flamingo Trigger, was a low-budget, widely appreciated album that they toured their asses off with.  With that album they instantly gained a cult following involving fans of several genres.  From hardcore fans, to rock and roll fans, to comedy fans, to funk and soul.  Foxy is a band that is hard to categorize, but very easy to get into.  After years of touring they landed in the laps of Ferret Records, instantly getting to work on their label-debut, Introducing, produced by Casey Bates of the Chiodos and Heavy Heavy Low Low fame.  They are very piano-driven with spazztastic vocals, motown-rock guitar, and funk-metal bass.  This is music for superheroes.  Especially this new album.  It opens with a short-babble delivered by singer Eric Nally, only a taste of what crazy rants he spits on stage in between songs.  His stories make no sense but give you fantastic images in your head.  I have been awaiting this album for what seems like years and I am very, very satisfied with it.  The key songs to listen to would be “Introducing”, “The Rocketeer”, and “Red Cape Diver.”  If you are not a fan after listening to these songs then are either close-minded or simply have no taste in music.  The production is a tad lacking at times, but they easily make up for it with energy and pure originality.  Many people say that this band is too similar to Tub Ring, but trust me, no one sounds like Tub Ring and no one sounds like Foxy Shazam.  This is easily going to be one of my favorite albums of the year, and a great way to start of listening to 2008.  Five out of five stars.  I am happy.