Chromeo Fancy Footwork CD

The Montreal-based electro-funk duo of Dave 1 and P. Thugg, better known as Chromeo, first made a splash in 2004 with their retro-flavored debut, SHE'S IN CONTROL. Drawing upon their shared love of `80s pop-R&B and synthetic talk box-driven funk, their follow up, FANCY FOOTWORK, delves even further into retro kitsch, playfully resurrecting the innocence and exuberance of that bygone time. Similar dance music pundits may have revisited Reagan-era synthesizers to get that elusive "vintage" sound, but Chromeo practically ooze synthetic funk from every groove. If the ironically delivered sleaze of "Tenderoni" lyrically places tongue firmly in cheek, the intricately performed lead synth lines still demand to be taken seriously. Revealing a level of musicianship that belies the lightheartedness of their lyrics, FANCY FOOTWORK manages to combine the spirit of past funk flights-of-fancy with a fresh and witty modern-day perspective.
Back with a slicker set of moves and immaculately groomed hooks, on Fancy Footwork Chromeo are in even more control of their sound than they were on She's in Control. The duo's debut was undeniably fun, but it was such a slave to the rhythm that, at times, it was numbing; on this album, Chromeo take their electro textures and funky beats in a very pop direction, topping them with memorable melodies and witty lyrics. From the tongue-in-cheek drama of "Intro" -- which conjures visions of Chromeo ascending the stage from a cloud of dry ice -- Fancy Footwork builds on everything that made previous singles like "Needy Girl" good dirty fun. "Tenderoni" is a great example of the album's tighter, glossier sound and swivel-hipped rhythms, while "Fancy Footwork" itself boasts growling, squealing, and purring Moogs and a percussion breakdown made for busting a move. And, by trimming the fat off their tracks, Chromeo have made more room for knowing, entendre-laden fun. "Momma's Boy," with its instantly lovable electric piano riff and lyrics about finding your sweetie eerily similar to your folks, is a funny, catchy, twisted update on the Hall & Oates-style pop that the band loves so much. Skit-like humor seeps into "Call Me Up," which pauses while a girl looks around for Chromeo's phone number, and "My Girl is Calling Me (A Liar)," which ends with a brief conversation between Dave One and a talkboxing Pee Thug. Elsewhere, Dave and Pee show their sensitive side: "Bonafied Lovin" shows them taking more time to court a conquest, and the "Needy Girl" sequel "Opening Up" finds them trying monogamy -- and liking it. Even though Fancy Footwork's grooves aren't quite as deep as those on She's in Control, Chromeo's transformation into polished Lotharios with pop skills to match more than makes up for it. ~ Heather Phares

Deluxe Edition

Uncut (p.93) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[S]leek and highly finished, studiously retro electro-pop..."
Alternative Press (p.183) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "This sophomore full-length wears its newly found voluptuousness well; even the extra layer of cheesy fat in the vocal department and yacht-rock guitar squeals go down easy."
CMJ (p.41) - "[T]heir mirror-ball spinners are perfect late-night foot fodder."
Vibe (p.74) - "FOOTWORK's array of cheese-ball synths, vocoder distortions, and earnest lyrics shimmer with the nostalgic poppiness of Club Nouveau or Wham!..."