I woke up this morning unlike any other morning I have had in quite some time. Today was the day that Foxy Shazam‘s self-titled album finally dropped. The moment I woke up my iPhone was in my hands and I purchased the deluxe album version off of iTunes.
Words that I will use to describe this new album: Punk, Fierce, Soulful, Wreckless, Unforgettable
These guys have the potential to go in a history of sorts where the rock bands of the 70’s rest with high honors. Cincinnati’s Foxy Shazam could very well go down in a shameful self-destructing crash of defeat and still be one of the best acts of their time – yea, I know bold statement from me. They just have that quality of awesomeness I have not seen or heard in years. Think Iggy Pop/Freddie Mercury energy mixed with arena rock qualities and soul like no other. Foxy Shazam will be heard.
Can’t say that everyone is going to dig this album but if you want something different – you know what to do.
Imagine, if you will, what would happen if you mixed the Gorillaz with MGMT. The combination of similarities form into this great multi genred track without going overboard. The song seriously impressed me upon first listen. Learning that the band contains eight members intrigued me even more.
Making things even more interesting I happened to receive a Constellations 7″ (not kidding) in the mail today that not only had “Setback” but also the killer track “Love Is A Murder” featuring Cee-Lo! This is no Gnarls Barkey attempt but rather something much more likable (at least to me). After hearing just two tracks off the album I have very high expectations of the full length.
I have to say I am rather pumped for The Constellations to release their debut album titled Southern Gothic on June 22nd. It took the band two years to record the album with help from producer Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley).
You fancy yourself a Broken Bells fan? Well you should check this band out pretty quickly before they blow up all over the music scene.
Looks like my summer will be that much more enjoyable thanks to The Avett Brothers (TAB) who will be making a stop at Blossom Music Center this summer. Having seen them once this year already I have no problem seeing them again.
Hey Everyone,
Just announced: We are hitting the road with John Mayer this summer!
We are joining John as special guests on The Battle Studies World Tour, for the dates listed below:
Jul 31 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Aug 13 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
Aug 14 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug 15 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
The band will be releasing their 3rd full length release June 15th on Side One Dummy Records. Expect a tour to follow in support of this highly anticipated release.
Track Listing:
1. American Slang
2. Stay Lucky
3. Bring It On
4. The Diamond Church Street Choir
5. The Queen of Lower Chelsea
6. Orphans
7. Boxer
8. Old Haunts
9. The Spirit Of Jazz
10. We Did It When We Were Young
Today Foxy Shazam released a new video today that pretty music takes Peter Pan, The Darkness, and hot chicks wearing knee high tube socks making for a fun time all in a black & white format. The lead singer who looks like V from V Is For Vendetta guy is hyper awesome and I just see good things happening with this arena rock band.
Check out the new video for “Oh Lord”:
Front man Eric Nally had this to say about himself and what Foxy Shazam is:
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of two white boys in an all-black high school. The band name Foxy Shazam came from a saying in my school meaning, “cool shoes.” If you had cool shoes kids would say those are “foxy shazam.” Because of this we have a lot of soul, and try to let it bleed through our music as much as possible. Mom and Dad were pretty poor as I was growing up but always supported my musical interests nonetheless. In the early years they bought my band cheap guitars and amps and drove us to shows in the family Thunderbird. I owe them big time and will someday repay them.
When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel, Bruce Springsteen, my childhood, Van Morrison, my old friends from high school I don’t talk to anymore, Elton John, the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond, Iggy Pop and my first kiss. One of my favorite things to do when listening to my music is to close my eyes and picture a crowd of six million people all chanting “Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!” The lights go out and my band walks on stage. It gives me goose bumps. It all makes sense to me. When you listen to our record, think of your favorite things and it’ll make sense to you as well.
Foxy Shazam is not concerned with what category it falls into. We want to stand for our generation.
We want to be the biggest band in the world.
We are the Michael Jordan of Rock N’ Roll.
I have the feeling Eric will be repaying his folks in no time. He has such a positive and energetic attitude about what he is in and loves to do. This band is going to be getting a lot of attention in 2010, or so I think.
This music blog could have a driver's license by now…
