Foxy Shazam

Foxy Shazam’s cloying theatrics seem built to divide an audience. Drama-queen frontman Eric Nally erupts in vocal-cord-splintering screams that channel Blood Brothers’ shrill falsetto, giving way to pounding piano and chest-beating choruses. The result sounds like post-screamo angst, topped with the kitschy theatrics of Hedwig and the Angry Inch‘s most sweaty, pantyhose-running performance. (Example: “Connect,” from Foxy’s latest release, sounds like “Man in the Mirror” re-funked with a Jacko who has taken a couple of vocal tips from My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way.) I want my fans to think I’m so punk rock, Nally sings on “Wannabe Angel.” Punk rock isn’t exactly Broadway’s style (unless you count Green Day’s forthcoming American Idiot musical), but Foxy Shazam makes drama feel delightfully dirty.