A strange mix of baby-doll chic and punk bitchiness, Shampoo have the temerity to write their own anthem, "Viva La Megababes" ("Better step aside because we just ain't stopping"), and trash other equally vapid trends in the same breath ("Supermodels suck, riot grrrls, diet grrrls, who really gives a fuck?") -- a move reminiscent of Bow Wow Wow, Bananarama, and Strawberry Switchblade. Of course, the incessant chirpiness of the vocals, the musical similarity of songs like "Trouble" and "Shiny Black Taxi Cab" (both happy, danceable, vaguely sexual French kisses of songs with a fuzzy guitar to make them sound slightly dangerous), and the absolute lack of meaning behind the vapid lyrics can chafe. But until it does, Shampoo are good, clean fun.

-- Randee Dawn Cohen