pretty package

In the eighties, it was possible to create a successful girl group with no musical experience whatsoever. Fuzzbox were able to become media darlings based on their flamboyant fashion sense and irreverent sense of humor. With no musician credits on the liner notes, these women apparently did little playing on their records. So it’s surprising that they were able to leave behind an impressive body of work. You would not think that a marketing strategy that emphasized their over-the-top hairdos and devil-may-care attitudes would result in a steady stream of catchy singles, but it did. They wore their lack of instrumental prowess on their sleeve, unlike the current batch of lip sync pop stars. You would be surprised how far you can get on looks and personality alone. But when the quartet decided to transcend the bubble punk image, a major makeover was in order. In the spirit of Madonna, the girls reinvented themselves as a slick dance troupe, with the lead singer emerging as a saucy sexpot. They were able to pull off this transformation without sacrificing the quirky indie spirit that made them popular in the first place. However, Fame can be a fickle mistress. When the video vixens returned to promote their third album, the chart landscape had changed. The novelty of pop puppets had become offensive in an age of authenticity. With the dawn of a new decade, there was a new appreciation for the muso. After the relative lack of enthusiasm that greeted this single, they decided to call it a day. But who says you have to sacrifice style for substance? I dare you to sit still!