Prizzy Prizzy Please

Chroma Cannon [12 inch] (2010)

Superskabro

Every once in a while, a band comes around that combines everything you love about music (and a few things that you didn't even know you loved) into one perfect package. Right now, that band is Chicago, IL/Bloomington, IN wünderpunk group Prizzy Prizzy Please. The goofy four-piece has managed to successfully blend the clever song craft of Fugazi with the idiotic arena howl of AC/DC--the effortless eclecticism of Talking Heads with rhythmic elements of classic funk.

On their latest album, Chroma Cannon, Prizzy has created a sensational work of universal melodies, hilarious subject matter and superb musicianship. The opening track, "Large Hadron Collider" opens with a screeching keyboard riff which makes way for a fantastically classic bassline. The lyrics are about the interestingly, perplexingly, potentially apocalyptic Large Hadron Super-Collider that some feared would destroy existence if activated. If that isn't fodder for a goofy pop song, then I don't know what is. And since the universe continues to exist despite the collider's activation, I think it's safe for Prizzy to look back and laugh about it.

Frontman Mark Pallman's voice is so versatile and he finally gets a chance to truly flex his throat muscles on Chroma Cannon. He busts out straight-up falsetto on tracks like "Lost," a punk growl on the fast-paced "No Fly Zone" and a Bon Scott wail on "Clarence."

The rest of the album finds the four musicians fine-tuning their craft. The party-punk elements of past releases has been tuned down a bit but the melodies are stronger and the music is more diverse and technically superior than on past recordings.

The pinnacle of the album is the infectiously funky "Pacific Garbage Patch." While the subject matter isn't so funny (a giant island of garbage about the size of Texas in the North Pacific), the band still manage to make a hilarious ode to environmental destruction. Pallman's varying vocals are complemented by the extremely versatile (and catchy) keyboards laid down by Ted Wells. In fact, it is Wells' keyboard parts that make up the backbone and set the mood for each song.

This is a very important album for Prizzy Prizzy Please. This, coupled with their recent relocation to Chicago, will help the band reach bigger and newer audiences. Prizzy has done their part: They made the music. Now, all you have to do is listen, and don't be afraid to laugh.