December Birthdays 
Kitten and the Tonics – Alarmium 7” (Tabu Recordings)
The debut vinyl release from this Michigan trio contains three originals and one cover. The A-Side commences with a cover of “Graveyard” by The Phantom Five from the 1960s. It’s an honoring tribute that’s well-played and has some clever updates. The title track is up next. “Alarmium” is a nonce to describe the alarm-like sound that gives this surfy tune a sci-fi feel. The music dances around playfully. It’s familiar yet distinct and enjoyable to listen to.
Side B showcases their “swingin’ surfabilly!” The upright bass thunders triumphantly! “Memphis Red” pays a kind homage to its namesake with one foot firmly in California and the other foot strollin’ in Tennessee. The foot-stompin' “Howlin’” completes the EP with an extra dose of personality. Only a bona fide outlier, comfortable in their own skin could craft a genre-defying ditty like this. If it has you daydreaming of cuffed blue jeans and polka-dot skirts, you're on the right ‘track.’ At roughly 5 minutes per side, I was flipping this 45 over quickly and frequently whilst longing for more.
The 7” record is pressed on a translucent ‘sea blue’ vinyl, and housed in a shrink-wrapped, side-entry jacket. It’s another admirable release from Tabu and one you’ll want to purchase immediately as it is limited to 200 copies.
Purchase a copy or get the digital download at Tabu Records Bandcamp
As reviewed in Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 2
Also available at the House of Tabu website
—Matthew
Purchasae Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 3
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Email: Matthew_e_clark_6@hotmail.com
Last edited: Oct 01, 2024 18:38:20
