SLINKY VAGABOND – THE ETERNAL RETURN (REVIEW)
Slinky Vagabond – The Eternal Return
The third album from the NY collaborative, Slinky Vagabond, is once again a blend of punk, 80’s college alternative, and art rock, but Eternal Return may be their best one yet. The band has had an ever-changing list of musicians, the only constants being British musician and fashion designer Keanan Duffty, and Italian guitarist and producer, Fabio Fabbri.
The album starts with the plodding “Lady Bump Discotheque,” which profiles a pair of nightlife seekers (think a much more hip “Livin’ on a Prayer,”). I love the chorus, which references “a kiss is just a kiss.” Great guitar here from Fabbri, and Duffty sounds kinda like Prince on “Purple Rain” during the wordless ad libbing at the end. “When a legend dies / even androids cry” is how “Ad Astra” opens – I love the piano here, especially improvising at the end. But, the big chorus is full of psychedelia. The opening keyboard riff of “Icarus Falls” reminds me of the Psychedelic Furs’ best work. Fabbri has a really meaty guitar solo here, and the keyboards at the end are a nice touch.