CD Reviews

Chromeo

Fancy Footwork | Vice

By ANDREW GRAHAM | July 1, 2008

3.0 Stars

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?

Topics: CD Reviews , Interpol, Lionel Richie, Joy Division, More

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