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Cool Cleveland (Review)
Cool Cleveland
By Ben Vendetta
Transcribed by Cool Cleveland Online
9 Cover Image
ThinKing is the first Lucky Pierre record in 16 years. The Cleveland-based group fronted by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin McMahon, once included Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails in its ranks and released several seven-inch singles and a six-song EP Communiqué between 1979 and 1988. After that, McMahon formed Prick, a glam-tinged industrial outfit who were signed to Reznor’s Nothing label, toured with the likes of David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails, and released two acclaimed records: Prick (1995) and Wayward (2002). Now things have come full circle with the highly welcome return of Lucky Pierre. While ThinKing was largely recorded in McMahon’s Lakewood apartment, it has the sonic attributes of a big time studio release with its explosive crystal clear sound. Combining electro-pop influences with more traditional rock n' roll, at times McMahon comes across like the perfect marriage of Gary Numan, David Bowie, and Ray Davies. Throughout this CD, one is dazzled by innovative instrumental passages, effecting melodies, and crashing choruses. In a better world, songs like Beginning, Automatic, and Cloud would be worldwide radio smashes. Lyrically, McMahon is an extremely sharp observer of the idiosyncrasies of everyday life in the tradition of the aforementioned Davies. He even sings a little like the Kinks legend on some of the more stripped down numbers like the first-rate Attitude. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait 16 years for another record!