The blurb accompanying this CD makes the statement that this is “for fans of Queen”. What I can say with 100% certainty it that claim is complete and utter garbage. True there is a hideous attempt to re-write ‘Somebody To Love’ (‘A Black Man’s Breakfast’) ,a number of the songs are piano-led and vocalist Eric Nally occasionally tries to do an ever worse Freddie Mercury than Justin Hawkins ever managed but any Queen fans thinking of checking out Foxy Shazam on the strength of these “similarities” are advised to seek fulfilment elsewhere. Nally also advises us that “most of the songs are just about having a good time”….so its something of an own goal that the album is scheduled to be released in late January, by which time party season will well and truly be at an end. This is probably no bad thing however, for if you did turn up to a party clutching a copy of this CD don’t hold your breath in anticipation of getting any future invitations.

Foxy Shazam are a quintet based out of Cincinnati, Ohio and have been around since 2004 with their one previous release being 2005’s ‘The Flamingo Trigger’. Their style is a fairly bizarre (and ill-conceived) mix of punk, hardcore and glam interjected with numerous piano flourishes. Unfortunately it’s a concept that really doesn’t come off. ‘The Rockteer’ is an awful Ziggy-era Bowie pastiche that will soon having you reaching for the next button although it is nowhere near the worst track here. ‘The Science of Love’ and ‘It’s Hair Smelled Like Bonfire’ are good examples of how not to do hardcore and the overwhelming feeling is that this is all one big joke that the listener is not in on. I was going to go with a lower mark but there is a marginal improvement towards the end with ‘Red Cape Diver’ where the band finally manage to string together a half-decent idea. This proves a momentary respite and we soon return to amateur hour with ‘Ghost Animals’ and ‘Cool’, the former with some truly hideous chanting of the title ad nauseum. In a word, appalling.

‘Introducing Foxy Shazam’ is due for release on January 22^nd.