There’s no need to argue about the legendary status of Kid Congo Powers. Sharing the stage with punk greats, a performer par excellence, someone who knows his way around music history. With the Pink Monkey Birds, he’s been operating a garage rock vehicle for almost 20 years.
The releases have become a bit sporadic over the past few years. So, “That Delicious Vice” (In The Red) is the first LP since 2016. Powers has nothing left to prove; he makes music when he feels like it. And when he has a few friends around.
For the new record, the quartet has become a trio, filled out once again with Alice Bag. An icon herself, she has written and sung two songs. Additionally, we have Mark Cisneros and Ron Miller, the only constant, along for the ride.
They present us with two entirely different sides. First, it’s towards garage rock and psych. The desert is already present with the atmospheric “East of East” and will continue to accompany us. Alongside that, there’s the already familiar wild, clattering rock with horror motifs.
Powers mentions that collaborating with Alice Bag particularly influenced the album. The inclination towards cool punk is certainly there, though it’s less tumultuous.
The B-side then offers completely different sounds. Tropical dominates, everything is atmospheric and melancholic. A creeping exit, garnished on CD with the feverish “Murder Of Sunrise.” Still good for a surprise.
Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds – That Delicious Vice: Classically good. – RIFL
