Okay, so I missed out on "Marcy Playground's" debut CD, and I couldn't help groaning and cringing when I heard "Sex And Candy" on my local radio station yet again, but I am an adult and I can admit when I'm wrong. So, I take it back. "Marcy Playground" is not another pretty face in the gallery of One Hit Wonders. I was wrong. There, I said it. Now we can move on to better things.

I have to say that "Shapeshifter" was not what I expected at all. I had a notion of listening to 12 tracks geared for the bubble gum generation. What I got was a blend of sophisticated music with thoughtful, intelligent lyrics. John Wozniak (guitarist, vocalist and lyricist) has created a CD with a distinct personality that takes you through many different emotional highs and lows. John is joined by Dan Rieser (drums) and Dylan Keefe (bass), and together this trio has created a sound that is the embodiment of originality in a cookie cutter pop radio world.

Not quite Top 40, and not really all that heavy, it skirts both worlds and musically creates it's own niche. More importantly, it's just plain FUN to listen to. Any track is indicative of the good vibes feeling that radiates out of my CD player, but "Secret Squirrel" has to be the most over the top. Canny lyrics and a rocking beat have me remembering weekend mornings in front of the T.V. watching cartoons and stuffing myself full of Frosted Flakes.

Other notable tracks are "Love Bug," with it's funky guitar intros and arrhythmic beat, "Our Generation" and "It's Saturday" which reminds us of skipping school on a Friday only to have a "major resurrection" to hang out with friends. For all of you that were put off by the overplay of "Sex And Candy," you should give this CD a listen. "Marcy Playground" is certainly worth a closer look.