The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat
Blue Rose, 2022
9/10
Listen to The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat
Anthony D’Amato, Brian Dunne, Don DiLego, and Mike Montali make up Fantastic Cat, and even though the title might make you think otherwise, this is actually the debut for the eclectic and unpredictable New York City outfit.
“C’mon Armageddon” gets the listen off to an energetic start with scrappy drumming and a nostalgic rock’n’roll feel that’s quite rhythmic, and “New Year’s Day” follows with bouncy bass work and firmly strummed acoustic guitar, as expresssive singing recruits a timeless version of folk.
“Fiona” occupies the middle spot and lands in piano balladry, where powerful singing and a soulful quality are appreciated, while “Amigo” offers a bright and pop friendly display of summery melodies that seems indebted to the ‘60s.
Further down the line, “Ain’t This The Strangest Town” finds a bare place to reside initially, where expressive and poetic song craft lands somewhere between Americana and folk, and “Theme From Fantastic Cat” exits the listen with a textured and dreamy finish of lush, emotive songwriting.
A band that are very hard to classify, you’ll likely be reminded of artists as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, Whiskeytown or The Traveling Wilburys in the sense that all members here are singer-songwriters in their own right. The band clearly don’t take themselves too serious, but this is seriously great music.
Travels well with: John Calvin Abney- Familiar Ground; Hollis Brown- In The Aftermath