Roxy Monoxide is a five-piece rock/power-pop band that draws influences from Pretenders, Cheap Trick, and the Plimsouls. Lead singer Coree Levy has a strong vocal, along the lines of Cyndi Lauper or Grace Slick. Starting with the very Cars-like rhythm of “Insecurity” it sets the stage. The early 80’s rock style here suits the band just fine, and the melody has a good hook to it. The riff heavy “Just Cry” resembles a Heart tune and is one of the best showcases for the bands instrumental acumen. Lead guitarist Scott Samuels can play a mean axe, but his vocals didn’t float my boat here. The band lacks some consistency in spots and should work on balancing Levys vocals with the guitar parts. “Easier Said Than Done” is a soft mid-tempo pop song with Levy cruising through the jangling chorus. Songs like “Scrape Me Off The Floor” work well, despite the very disparate vocal ranges of the band members. “Waiting Around” proves the songwriting talent is evident here too, painting a vivid story in the lyric. Fans of Bazooka Jones, Joan Jett and Suzi Quatro will appreciate the good female power pop vocals here, although the band’s persona is pretty tame. If you like the above mentioned bands it’s worth a listen for sure.
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