CD REVIEWS
Dion Lunadon - Systems Edge
In The Red Records
Vinyl Review by Jaime Pina
Born in New Zealand, Dion Lunadon is a breath of fresh air in the current climate of new music. The songs and attack he puts forth might be considered a throwback to the bygone days of well-crafted Punk Rock but in my opinion he is carrying on a certain attitude that came along with the Punk aesthetic. Keep it tuneful for appeal but don’t lose the high energy. In some of these songs I can hear flashes of early Clash, Dickies, AKA and others. Hell, “Shockwave” pays a debt to “Green Hell” by The Misfits. And Lunadon has obviously picked up some pointers from bands like The Dictators and The Cramps as well. Lunadon has an excellent pop sensibility but does not pull any punches. Some of the passages in these songs come from a very special place. While the songs all have great grooves, some of the bits are heady in nature. Meaning the music sounds extra awesome if you are high. You don’t have to be a stoner to dig these tunes but the point I am trying to make is a lot of the listening pleasure that comes from these songs takes you back to being young, at a club, flying high and hearing songs for the first time that always take you back to that special place whenever you hear them. Like that first time you heard The Ramones or Kiss: Alive! The music has a recognizability that sticks with you.
People who love the purity of those first waves of Punk Rock from London, NYC and Los Angeles will connect with Lunadon and what he is doing. His singing and guitar playing have a sense of history to them and Lunadon carves out a place for himself while absorbing lessons from his faves who came before him. If you are really into cool shit then this is a record I can highly recommend to you.
Naim Amor Kid Congo Powers - Tucson Safari
In The Red Records
Vinyl Review by Jaime Pina
This new collaboration between Naim Amor of Amor Belhom Duo and Kid Congo Powers of The Cramps and The Gun Club is a real hoot. Fans of both of Kid’s former bands will find this an essential addition to their collection while people who enjoy atmospheric instrumentals mixed with songs featuring passionate vocals will embrace this as well. Amor has done collaborations with members of Celexico and done soundtrack work on his own and mixed with Kid’s unorthodox slide guitar this is a match made in music heaven. The first track starts with a drum beat that sounds a bit like “Metal Guru” by T. Rex but then goes off into guitar lick land with the six strings sounding like they came right out of a spaghetti western. There are some vocals on some of the tracks that are in the same vibe as you might expect but are unique in their own way. Bluesy and down and dirty and full of grit and desire.
My review copy came on fiery yellow and orange vinyl. This is a tight 10 song release so it goes by quickly and while not overstaying its welcome and it definitely leaves you wanting more from these two.