First off, Dam Funk is weird. Part of that weirdness is the unabashed mix of Casio keyboard-tinkering and early 80′s Motown melodies, which sound like something between Rockwell (you know, the “Sometimes I feel like somebody’s watchin’ me” dude) and a Michael Jackson studio outtake from Thriller, minus the excessive falsetto. “Toeachizown” is not only a snazzy way to spell a credo to live by, but one of several Delorian rides back into 1983 cruising through the streets of Jermaine Jackson and post-disco new wave rejects. “I Wanna Thank You for (Steppin Into My Life)” makes D-F’s tone-deaf croonings verge on endearing; I think of that sensitive nerd who sat in the back of high school chemistry class, wire-framed glasses and a bookbag full of Anne McCaffrey novels, secretly thankful that a cheerleader asked to borrow his bunson burner. (Dawn Monreal, if you’re reading this, see my contact info-Jeff). Nothing spectacularly original, but if you want a feel-good album with some infectiously catchy melodies to get you in the mood, you could do worse (there’s always that Rockwell guy, hahaha!!).
