Foxy Shazam, 'The Church of Rock and Roll'

Release date: Jan. 24, 2012
Record label: I.R.S./EMI
Official website: http://foxyshazam.com/

The buzz: Cincinnati’s self-appointed saviors of rock are back! And this time, they’ve got Justin Hawkins of British retro-metal icons the Darkness sitting in the producer’s chair. Sounds like a match made in rock ‘n’ roll heaven to us.

The verdict: Where most bands might make at least a token effort at concealing their influences, Foxy Shazam tend to blast theirs like stage pyro. Fortunately, those influences are mostly from the fun end of the classic-rock radio dial: Meat Loaf, mid-period Queen, Grand Funk Railroad, Sweet, Billy Squier. It all adds up to a hyper-charged, more-cowbell, glam/boogie/quasi-metal freakout of a record, one that never takes itself too seriously or takes a restrained approach when a florid, over-the-top one will do. Lead singer Eric Nally, with his Freddie Mercury-like vocal gymnastics, is the obvious center of attention, but guitarist Loren Turner can really rip and trumpeter Alex Nauth is the band’s secret weapon, giving many tracks an unexpected soulful kick. Maybe Foxy Shazam really can become the biggest band in the world—a goal Nally is never hesitant to declare in interviews.

Did you know? Foxy Shazam were one of the first signings of the newly reconstituted I.R.S. Records, home in its ‘80s heyday to R.E.M., Oingo Boingo and the English Beat.