Notes from the Lost Civilization

AMG Review of Notes from the Lost Civilization

Mark W. B. Allender
All Music Guide

The sparsely orchestrated "Children's Crusade" sets the tone of the record: short, simple lyrics and lots of musical space. Though not so clever and sardonic as some of his earlier work, this is an good collection of what Tonio K. himself calls "urban surf music." Songs tend to be more emotionally ("Stay, darlin' stay") than intellectually oriented like his earlier work. The exception is found in the song "What Women Want" -- left off the WHAT? Records version presumably because of the line, "I know what these women want/They want sex!" Very little really stands out on this album -- the urban surf music description seems appropriate from many angles. Great CD for your car.