Monday, February 3, 2025
EAMON THE DESTROYER: RADIO SESSIONS
Eamon the Destroyer's latest, Radio Sessions, enlists the varied grooves that we seek whenever we turn the dial. In this case, they're "stripped down," acoustic renditions (with a few embellishments added here and there) of six of his established creations, but no matter their emanations, Radio Sessions taps the emotional constitutions that give old favorites new spins, allowing our emotions to ascend or descend, depending on the transmissions (those revised versions) dealt.
"Nothing Like Anything" is whistly and breezy, with a tonality that's truthful and glitz-less. It references humility through "little feet in my hands": something born, breathing and nurtured during that promising time when "the sun is out." It's also about a "restless heart," of traveling far beyond and heading back home, of bouncing back and forth in life, discovering the things that one has never known, and from that awakened point, will never forget.
If "Nothing Like Anything" holds an upswing implication, "Underscoring the Blues" represents the sad song that soothes the soul. Its raw "God knows"-woe is ironically hopeful and calliope-pumped, with sounds/vocals that are at once judgmental and instructional, but also giddy enough for a circus clown to embrace, as he smiles his way through the tears.
"We'll Be Piranhas" (a fabulous song in any version) reworks and teases Bowie/Eno's "Heroes," imagining pirates, conquest and attack. Eamon's rugged vocals are sweet as butter, which makes his lyrics' all the more cutting edge, somehow both poignant and whimsical within the nimble niche he digs.
"Silver Shadow" depicts a ride in a small, blue car, under summer skies: a swift, sleek composite to epitomize the long stretch of an arduous journey. In its unfettered form, it's the Flash or Quicksilver zooming at lightning speed, only to skid to a hard halt, all in the name of love, all to put one's arms around another, to hold onto someone who summons the deepest essence, which breaks and resonates with nothing but a tender plea.
"Avalanche" represents a from-the-throat aftermath, a situation formed and carved, piled in a loved one's yard. It identifies a chink in that person's armor, as a dark star descends, riding on to draw all the flaws that were once hidden, but now beam for all the angelic beauty they hold.
In response to this euphoric realization, there comes "The Choirmaster," an introspective, Piranhas piece that makes peace with the world. It recalls the smooth shuffle of "Nothing Like Anything," though with greater, piercing resonance. There's also a trace of gratitude that presses through, an acceptance for what stands, and what stands deserves a cathedral's exaltation, a profound punctuation to trek onward and make the best of what one possesses (something that all the best, radio tunes project).
Radio Sessions is a satisfying, musical sojourn, a audio look down memory lane, as well as a glimpse toward the future, of expressing the essential juice that flows through one's veins, and for all the emotional baggage it drags, it deposits one on a higher level.
After listening to this six-part, revisionist epic, don't be surprised if you bestow Eamon's expressed gratitude (and humanity) straight back to him. After all, he understands. He knows. So will you.
Tune to Radio Sessions (courtesy of Bear Suit Records) at
https://bearsuitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/radio-sessions
and
https://bearsuitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/radio-sessions
COLLECTIBLE TIME: AURORA/ATLANTIS MUMMY REISSUE, MODEL KIT
For my birthday, my pal, Mel, gave me an Atlantis reissue of Aurora's popular, Mummy kit, accessorized with alternate, glow-in-the-dark pieces.
The model is inspired by Lon Chaney Jr.'s version of forlorn, tongue-less Kharis, as featured in The Mummy's Tomb, The Mummy's Ghost and The Mummy's Curse, but I suppose one can discern a little of Tom Tyler from The Mummy's Hand, as well as Boris Karloff's Imhotep from the original, 1932 classic.
I still have my original, built-up kit from the 1960s (before the glow-in-the-dark novelty even entered the Aurora queue), but to have a version of the kit, done in the style of the 1970s, square-box release, is a real, styrene treat, as it features a nifty variant of James Bama's famous artwork.
The Mummy model has a nice, grainy, Egyptian-tomb base with a cool cobra and apt, name plate. In my opinion, this is one of Aurora's best bases, in that it embellishes and never steals from the figure.
That this 1963 kit has remained a major, figural submission says a lot. I'm appreciative to the gracious and generous Mel for acknowledging such and bestowing me another example in its many releases.
Sunday, February 2, 2025
COLLECTIBLE TIME: BABY (SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND) TOPPS CARDS
For my birthday, my wife, Donna, gifted me a Topps card set of Disney/Touchstone's Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend. I love the movie, but had no idea that this tie-in existed.
There are 66 cards in total, plus a wrapper featuring the titular, wee brontosaurus. William Katt, Sean Young and Patrick McGoohan are represented among the images, which I appreciate, since they're three of my favorite performers.
Keeping with Topps' tradition, the cards feature story descriptions on the backs. The photo reproductions are super-sharp, too, in this case bordered by complementing red.
A couple images for this post include my Baby Blu-ray, which I purchased some years ago at Dollar Tree. Talk about a swell (inexpensive) upgrade, and in much the same manner, having these cards is as pleasing a turn. (Granted, the set doesn't contain the stickers, but hey, that's okay, considering how comprehensive the main images are.)
I thank Donna for this quaint and endearing surprise. Just as I've come to cherish Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, I'll cherish this set for years to come.
Saturday, February 1, 2025
COLLECTIBLE TIME: MCFARLANE/DC DIRECT/PAGE PUNCHERS, CHRISTOPHER REEVE SUPERMAN
In honor of DC's Superman '78, "Page Punchers," comic-book series, McFarlane Toys and DC Direct has produced a 7" representation of Christopher Reeve's Superman, based on the applauded, Robert Venditti/Wilfredo Torres/Gavin Guidry, "what if" saga; and I'm as proud as a peacock to declare, I own one!
The figure is detailed with distinct, comic-book "inking," with a "billowing," cloth cape and a striking, physique and facial resemblance to Reeve.
The figure also comes with twenty-two, moveable parts, giving the figure a dynamic flair far and beyond what one may find among comparable, action figures. As a further treat, the package includes eight, extra hands (one fingering a Krypton crystal); a circular base; an art card; and an actual, Superman '78 comic (enclosed at the packaging's rear), featuring not only Reeve's Kal-El, but Margot Kidder's Lois Lane, Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor and special, guest star, David Bowie's Brainiac.
This is, indeed, a super release and one that any Superman: The Movie/Reeve fan must own.
Get yours while the going's good. They're available at Amazon and any number of top-notch, novelty shops throughout this fine nation.
CHECK OUT CARA NICOLE: COSPLAY POWERGIRL
For those who love gorgeous, statuesque women, do yourself a favor and check out Cara Nicole, aka the AZ Powergirl!
The Arizona resident (and star of such cult hits as The Detective's Lover and Unearthed: The Curse of Nephthys) is a legend in the cosplay field, covering DC/Marvel characters and beyond.
For the record, the curvaceous Cara also helms her own publications, Firebitch and Unstable Frequencies, featuring astounding artwork from her spouse, the super-talented Alfred Trujillo. In addition to her publications, Cara's captivating countenance graces prints/posters and calendars.
What makes Cara so revered, however, is that she's one of us: a sincere fan of the fantastic wonderment we all hold near to our hearts.
Delve into Cara's prolific gallery at
https://183degreestudio.com/
You're certain to come away seduced!
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