The Ramblin' Ambassadors - Avanti (CD)

All Music Guide

Avanti starts off just the way the name of the band suggests: ramblin'. The Ramblin' Ambassadors draw from their influences and pay homage through a few covers. Avanti's instrumentals weave through Western rambles, Morricone and Calexico style, the rockabilly/psychobilly sound of Flat Duo Jets, and the surf guitar stylings of the likes of Dick Dale or the Ventures. "Theme from 'The Ramblin' Bastards'" is a walkin' tune that pulses with lots of hard-hitting guitars and heightens with an interesting distorted picking solo. Where The Ramblin' Ambassadors peak is on a Brian Connelly-penned track, "Twenty Original Fembots." The guitars have a wonderful haunting tone, the harmonies of the melody build the atmosphere, and the rhythm section pumps along, making you realize that this song is from Connelly, who was apart of Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. All tracks are short, tight, and have a lot of energy, but are definitely something that you've heard done many times before. What saves the ...familiarity is that the record clocks in at 24 minutes; you get your fix and get out. For those who are submerged in the rockabilly culture, The Ramblin' Ambassadors' Avanti might prove to be a nice, sweet listening treat to add to your collection. - David Serra, All Music Guide Read more Less