Reviewed by Mitch Andrews and posted on October 10, 2010

"It's Never Easy Being Cheesy" is the title of Fast Food Rockers' first and only album.  Released in 2003, It's Never Easy Being Cheesy was initially released at the end of the bubblegum dance era, and at a time when the music industry was moving away from happy pop and focusing on hip hop and other nasties.  This album is more pop/dance in genre than bubblegum, with a number of songs fit perfectly into the Steps and S Club 7 style.

The album begins with one of the best introductions I have ever heard.  The title track of the album, in my opinion, could have been longer because it is so catchy!  Beautiful piano instrumentals mixed with pulsating synths and thumping beats, the listener immediately gets a taste of what the Fast Food Rockers are about - cheesy, fun, and full of flavour.  "Fast Food Song" is the Rocker's best known track, and was a huge hit when it was released.  Most people instantly labelled them a "one-hit-wonder" because of it, which is a shame because I do feel that other songs on this album are better.  Fast Food Song is a well produced number, with an extra cheesy topic.  You'll find yourself singing along to the chorus which is extremely catchy and instantly recognizable as it borrows the melody from an old campfire song.  The next song "Say Cheese (Smile Please)" sticks to the Rocker's cheesy style, and was their second single release.  Excellent vocal production, the girls of the Fast Food Rockers really know how to sing.  This is a complex song to write, and is very well produced.

In the next songs, the Fast Food Rockers move away from their cheesy style to focus on more mature bubblegum pop songs.  As mentioned earlier, these songs would have fitted perfectly on a Steps album (which is not surprising considered the album is produced by one of Steps' producers).  "I'm Not Going To Tell You Again" and  "Running Rings Around My Heart" are highly enjoyable numbers with great singing and lyrics.   "Sail Away" is a tropical flavoured bubblegum pop song about the Rocker's going on a tropical sea trip.  This is one of my favourites on the album, and is absolutely riddled with hooks and great sound effects.  The next track, "Unforgettable", is an Incredibly energetic song with an awesome topic, great vocals and top-notch production.  Unforgettable is my favourite song on the album and is practically perfect in every way (that's right, I just quoted Mary Poppins).  Unforgettable IS unforgettable.

The next two songs "Rocker's Carnival" and "9 Times Out Of 10" follow the same formula as tracks 4 and 5.  Great bubblegum pop songs that are very catchy and well written.  If you don't like them immediately are sure to grow on you.  "9 Times Out Of 10" is particularly catchy and is one of my favorites on this album.  Next up, the Fast Food Rockers delivers one of the best bubblegum covers I have ever heard - a very complete version of the song recorded by Ray Parker, Jr in 1984.  This is the only unoriginal song on the album, and while a lot of artists use remakes as easy "filler tracks" the Fast Food Rockers actually improves it, and makes it their own.  The voice acting is great in this song, and I really enjoy listening to the "talking parts" in between the choruses.

"Kiss Me Quick", "Strut Your Funky Stuff" and "Stompin" are quirky bubblegum pop numbers that are incredibly catchy and perfect examples of the excellent song writing that was involved in this project.  "Kiss Me Quick" is my favourite, with fantastic lead vocals and a hook to die for.  "Stompin" is at the end of the album and is the Rocker's last "upbeat song".  The song is one of the few to feature vocals by Martin, as most of the songs are sung by the females in the group.  In "The Adventure" the Fast Food Rockers return to their cheesy origins with a pirate-themed song.  This is one of my favourites on It's Never Easy Being Cheesy and definitely should not be missed.  Finally, but definitely not lastly, "One Step Away From Love" is the final track on the album.  Slower than the rest of the songs, this is my second favourite song on the album.  It is shorter than the rest of the songs, at only 2:38, and probably could have been extended, but I think it ends at a good time.  This is one of the most beautiful songs, and has a great message with lovely vocals.

Overall, the Fast Food Rockers album is a VERY strong release.  It contains some of the best bubblegum pop tunes I have ever heard, including "Unforgettable", "Kiss Me Quick" and "One Step Away From Love".  For fans of their cheesier style, "Fast Food Song", "Say Cheese (Smile Please)", "Ghostbusters", and "The Adventure" are sure to please.  One would never have guessed that a group who sings about fast food and smiling would release such a perfect pop album.  I'm sure their name did not do them justice, and if they had a more "less cheesy" name they might have been taken more seriously, and these excellent songs may have gotten the recognition they deserve.  I highly recommend this album for everyone who appreciates good pop music.