Austinist Album Capsules: Chromeo and The Jungle Rockers

Fancy Footwork – Chromeo

As soon as "Intro" launches Chromeo’s Fancy Footwork, the listener can prepare to be transported to another time. Ever since "Needy Girl" captured our hearts and memories a few years ago, the duo of Dave 1 (beats) and P-Thugg (vocals) has built a decent following among fans still reminiscing about the 80’s. First single "Tenderoni" kicks off like "Wanna Be Starting Something" (Michael Jackson) before launching into a synth-powered jam in true 80’s fashion. "Opening Up" has a similar intro but still remains distinct with an anecdotal tale of a Casanova turning over a new leaf. "Outta Sight" has more than a hint of Prince’s work from said decade and the title track could well be a soundtrack to your nostalgic fantasy of walking the streets of LA like Fletch. "Bonafied Lovin’" charms in typical Chromeo storytelling style much like "Needy Girl" did while "Waiting 4 U" and "100%" are typical of the Top 40 fare once peddled coast to coast by Casey Kasem. Talk boxes, high-octane synth, and immaculate production won’t make Fancy Footwork ‘the best 80’s album never released in the 80’s’ nor ‘the best 80’s album released in 2007’, but it does make it an extremely enjoyable dance record to break-dance to. Retro-funk, old school hip-hop, layered backdrops, thumping bass-lines, vocoders, and assorted beats and beeps keep the album fresh throughout and while Fancy Footwork won’t change the world of music, it does more than enough to evoke good times and bad fashion.

Chromeo: [official] [myspace]

The Jungle Rockers EP – The Jungle Rockers

The Jungle Rockers have taken by storm a substantial segment of the local population and then some. These Cleveland natives have found a home and an audience for their rockabilly in Austin, and we consider that a boon. But the term ‘rockabilly’ does not do justice to their exquisite blend of blues, country, swing, and heck, even punk. EP opener "Shake It" as well as "Sugar Shack" are perfect introductions to the band’s obvious musical talent, cavalier vocal style, charming attitude, but mostly their ability to get people up and moving to the dance floor. The insistent boogie of their theme song "Jungle Man" remains our favorite and the EP wraps up all too soon with an instrumental version of "Shake It" that leaves us hoping for a full-length sooner rather than later. Their MySpace page describes them as

a thick, tangled mass of dark, hot, pulsing, tropical, panty-peelin’, hip-grindin’, high-rollin’, body-movin’, down-at-the-crossroads-soul-sellin’ garage rockabilly rhythm and blues ear candy for the hot, soft, and sweet.