Album review: LMFAO's 'Party Rock'

Lyrically speaking, there isn't much on the debut album from local club-rap duo LMFAO that can be quoted in a family newspaper. What is safe for these pages, though, says just about everything you need to know about these guys' worldview: "Get crazy, get wild / Let's party, get loud," shouts MC Sky Blu in "Get Crazy," one of the 14 virtually interchangeable odes to night life naughtiness here.

Sky Blu and his producer partner Redfoo already are well known within the bottle-service set for their high-energy remixes of hits by A-listers like Fergie, Kanye West and Katy Perry. And though it consists of the group's own material, "Party Rock" offers the same pleasures as those remixes: thumping '80s-inspired beats, instantly catchy synth hooks, shouty catchphrases about how "what happens at the party stays at the party."

Provided you speak English -- an ability that might actually work against enjoying LMFAO's music -- Sky Blu's constant appeals to remove various articles of clothing can get pretty tiresome. Yet like will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, the rapper at least views hedonism as a participatory endeavor, not just something to be creepily observed from the VIP section. That gives tracks such as "La La La" and "Leaving U 4 the Groove" a welcome sense of conviviality.

The result is simple but effective: mindless fun that makes you wonder what's so great about having a mind anyway.

-- Mikael Wood

LMFAO
"Party Rock"
(Interscope)
Three stars

LMFAO plays a record-release party Tuesday at the Roxy in West Hollywood.

Comments

[Christopher R.]

This era and review just makes laugh. I think people are scared of hearing a new sound. Lyrically these guys got soul. I just think your getting lost beats and not really hearing whats being said to this generation of music. IT IS OKAY TO HAVE FUN AND DANCE STILL. I mean you translate it to just party and drink which is cool but you can also look at it as a message to hip hop saying it is okay to be a little different and challenge yourself to be more cutting edge. This style all stems from Kanye West's Stronger. I think it is the beginning of something really big in hip hop. Maybe I just put too much thought into the music but I am not one to hide something with soul. This music can affect a broad audience. To me the mindless stuff is probably on Billboards top 10 right now but hey the LMFAO REMIX to BOOM BOOM POW is blazing hot. Oh yeah and the Party Rock remix of Love Games will blow you away. I wonder if the which version people are really dancing to? I will put my money on LMFAO.

[Cameron]

holy freakk!!!! lmfao is freakinn awesome and anyone that doesnt think that is like soooooo retarted!!! i first saw them on the real world cancun and ever since ive llllooooovvveedddd them ! i sssoooooooooo wish they could come to preform at my friends parttyy!!!! well keep on partying, i def will be! later!!! =)

[Kevin]

These comments are amazing. Kanye West invented electrohop? Who knew? I guess Afrika Bambaataa doesn't count, right guys? Get over yourselves. LMFAO took a very stale sound, got new synths, and rapped about partying. They're not new, original, or even talented.

And hell, while I'm at it, let's talk about their clothing. Like 90% of LMFAO's appeal is their image. Do they have any hope of surviving after LA stops encouraging ridiculous apparel? Will aforementioned scenario actually happen?

[Jesus]

First, I want us all to give a round of applause and a pat on the back to Christopher R. and Cameron because they just one the two morons of the year award. It is safe to say that this horrendous excuse for musical "artists" are hitting the top of the charts when it comes to terrible things to enter American sulture. I saw these two clowns last night and I wish I had brought a pen and paper because i could have wrote a phenom scouting report for the Ringling Brothers. These guys could NOT rap, could NOT dance, and could NOT even play the keytar. My sister can play the keytar. It is honestly a shame that they get paid the money that they do for running around stage like a bunch of mindless animals. I'd rather have someone defecate in a paper bag and put it in front of a microphone. If you enjoy listening to them, it says a lot about your sense of entertainment and intellect. I assure you that LMFAO has never even heard of "real" dance music. Need I say more...