So Stylistic

Album review

It is pretty rare for groups who hit with a novelty song to back it up with a strong album. Fannypack hit it big in the summer of 2003 with the rude and hilarious "Cameltoe," an ode to an unfortunate fashion situation. A wild mix of electro beats, schoolyard taunts, and early Salt-N-Pepa/J.J. Fad-style rapping, the song was just what a summer hit should be: mindless and catchy as heck. The full-length So Stylistic manages to buck the lame full-length trend and be a solid and fun debut. The girls of Fannypack -- Jessibel, Cat, and Belinda -- aren't blessed with great voices or mad rap skills, but what they do have is teenage attitude and a fresh style. Their lyrics are frequently laugh-out-loud funny and always shallow and silly, with boys, music, and Fannypack's greatness being the main topics. There really isn't another dance/rap act on the scene that combines snarky teenage style with seriously slammin' retro dance beats the way Fannypack does. Producers (and songwriters) Matt Goias and Fancy are responsible for that aspect of the sound, and they create some boomin' electro/hip-hop jams for the girls to sling insults and boasts over. The Latin rap of "Hey Mami," the stomping "Theme From Fannypack," the sweet "Things" (which includes the deathless lyrics "Parties, movies, candy, toys/Clothes, shopping, music, boys/Flowers, beaches, mom, and dad/These are things that make me glad"), the angry "Smack It Up" (which features some wonderfully cheesy fake guitar), and the hard-hitting dancefloor filler "System Boomin'" are funny, funky, and sure to leave you with a goofy smile on your face. The hit isn't even the best song on the record; in fact, it starts to wear out its welcome pretty quickly in comparison to the other great tracks here. Depending on your level of tolerance for completely silly records with no social, political, or emotional relevance, this is one of the best records of 2003, sure to keep slumber parties and summer road trips boomin'.

© Tim Sendra /TiVo