The Bottom Line
This is the one to beat for anthem of summer 2007. It already roared onto the pop singles chart at #3 and is a good bet to hit the top for multiple weeks. "Party Like a Rockstar" is sure to offend both rock and hip hop purists, but for the mass pop audience, it's a serious party anthem. Enjoy it...or simply get out of the way.
- Undeniable hook
- Serious swagger
- Great summer singalong
- As shallow as a 3-foot wading pool
Description
- Lumbering heavy rock feel
- Simple group chorus
- "T...t...t...totally dude" is irresistible vocal hook
Guide Review - Shop Boyz - Party Like a Rockstar
Just over 20 years ago, Aerosmith and Run-DMC welded together contemporary hip hop and classic rock sounds to come out with a rumbling, hybrid version of "Walk This Way" that nearly reached the top of the pop singles chart. Rap and rock purists all complained initially, but the result is now seen as a popular music landmark. "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right) to Party!," one of the hits that followed in the wake of the initial rap-rock blend, introduced us to the tremendous talents of the Beastie Boys and their producer Rick Rubin. Neither source genre crumbled and mainstream pop music as a whole was greatly enriched.
I don't mean to imply that Atlanta's Shop Boyz are necessarily talents in the same league with Run-DMC, Aerosmith, or the Beasties. I do wish to point out that genre blends rarely make hardcore fans happy. However, they often do break down walls and point us in new, fertile directions. It may be a bit difficult, though, to see a freewheeling rap that name drops Pamela Anderson, Marilyn Manson, and the Osbournes leading us much of anywhere. Hood rock could die a quick death. Fortunately, even if the Shop Boyz don't lead us toward bold new music...we're left with one hell of a Friday night anthem.
T...t...t...totally dude!!
