Action City - This Is Action City

 

Whenever I think of Winston-Salem, like many others I think of Mitch Easter and why not? The man literally saved us from the dressing up nonsense of the Eighties. Well! Michael Slawter is noted for Heyday Guitars in the city. Not only that, but Slawter is also a fine solo artist.

His last album, Last Call for Breaking Hearts, was included in the IDHAS Best Of 2018. Action City are a duo consisting of Michael and Shawn Lynch. Shawn is a member of the trio Balderdash. Ltd with Chris Garges and Mitch Easter as well as a member of The Eyebrows.

The 10 songs here are a fine selection of Guitar Pop and all of its avenues. At times I'm reminded a lot of Chris Church, particularly on In My Finest Hour. When Action City rock, the certainly rock, especially on Stay (Tiny Love Song) which has an 80s Rush like feel on the verse.

Elsewhere the duo's versatility shines through across Surf (The Blame), Power Pop (Beside Me) and Psych Pop (The Lines You Blur). The latter is a corking tune, top notch in fact. Very 60s, very Jangly with a killer Guitar Solo, it ticks all the boxes. 

Him Or Me is great UK New Wave and the closer, Here Comes The Saviour has a meandering Baggy direction. The only one thing I couldn't take to was the drum sound, it seems a bit too high up in the mix. However This Is Action City is a splendid listen. I can't wait for more.

You can listen to and buy the album from the wonderful Futureman Records here.

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