In 2009, Foxy Shazam released one of the best albums of the year. It wasn't featured on my AOTY list back then simply because I was totally indifferent to the band and all their albums until I heard a song the following year. Needless to say, I fell in love instantly. Overblown production, Queen-esque persona, over-the-top lyrics and outrageously catchy choruses did hit all the right strings in me. During in the following months, the album was on my playlist almost all the time.
But while their self-titled was extremely fun and addictive, The Church is just missing something. As if the songs were afraid to really take off and go all the way to awesomeness. Overall the album falls short of the brilliance of its predecessor. However, it is still a very good record. Foxy Shazam never step twice into the same river with their albums, although their fondness of Freddie Mercury's theatrics stays obvious throughout most of the new songs as well.
Foxy Shazam already found the niche, they're most comfortable with. The Church is the sound of a band that doesn't lack both confidence and determination to make the best rock'n'roll on the planet. They may not be there yet, but at least they make the journey very intresting.
But while their self-titled was extremely fun and addictive, The Church is just missing something. As if the songs were afraid to really take off and go all the way to awesomeness. Overall the album falls short of the brilliance of its predecessor. However, it is still a very good record. Foxy Shazam never step twice into the same river with their albums, although their fondness of Freddie Mercury's theatrics stays obvious throughout most of the new songs as well.
Foxy Shazam already found the niche, they're most comfortable with. The Church is the sound of a band that doesn't lack both confidence and determination to make the best rock'n'roll on the planet. They may not be there yet, but at least they make the journey very intresting.