The Phoenix Network:
 
 
 
About  |  Advertise
 
Music
CD Reviews  |  Classical  |  Download  |  Live Reviews  |  Music Features  |  New England Music News

Chromeo

Fancy Footwork | Vice
By ANDREW GRAHAM  |  July 1, 2008
3.0 3.0 Stars
chromeoINSIDE.jpg
Given the retro-timely dance-pop style of Israeli/Palestinian collabo Chromeo, it’s no surprise that their sweet sophomore-sleeper-turned-instant-classic is being reissued with extras (remixes, videos, nifty repackaging, etc.). Starting with the title track’s pastel-toned, CaliFloriTopian breeze, every well-placed step on Fancy Footwork is planted firmly on a 1980s dance floor — or sliding suavely around a roller rink. “100%” evokes Lionel Richie’s finest solo moments; the lyrics of “Bonafied Lovin’ ” are new (as in Nu Shooz) and improved synth-pop throwbackery; “Momma’s Boy” is an immaculately preserved 1986 time-capsule gem. In a post-ironic ironic twist, Fancy Footwork, with all the familiar flavors of so many ’80s Top 40 one-hit wonders, comes to the world via Vice magazine’s vanity label (a WEA imprint). One of Vice’s early distinguishing traits was its amusingly brusque, dismissive album reviews — so, serious question: if Interpol was weaned on Joy Division classics, and the Drive-By Truckers grew up on a diet of Skynyrd and Allmans, what do you say about a band whose music most vividly recalls the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack?
Related:
  Topics: CD Reviews , Chromeo , Chromeo , Lionel Richie ,  More more >
  • Share:
  • RSS feed Rss
  • Email this article to a friend Email
  • Print this article Print
Comments

Today's Event Picks
Plus 2 more >>
ARTICLES BY ANDREW GRAHAM
Share this entry with Delicious
  •   ROOTS MANUVA | SLIME AND REASON  |  October 15, 2008
    Big Dada/Ninja Tune (2008)
  •   DAVID BANNER  |  July 22, 2008
    The Greatest Story Ever Told | Motown
  •   CHROMEO  |  July 01, 2008
    Fancy Footwork | Vice
  •   AKROBATIK  |  February 26, 2008
    Absolute Value | Fat Beats
  •   MIKE LADD  |  January 28, 2008
    Nostalgialator | Definitive Jux

 See all articles by: ANDREW GRAHAM

MOST POPULAR
RSS Feed of for the most popular articles
 Most Viewed   Most Emailed 
HOT TOPICS
 More Topics . . .
LATEST SLIDESHOWS

All Slideshows



Friday, January 09, 2009  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
thePhoenix.com:
Phoenix Media/Communications Group:
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
Copyright © 2009 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group