THINK LIKE A KEY MUSIC

Where CBGB Meets Canal Street... Amsterdam's Canal Street, That Is

When Arthur Lamonica packed his guitar and hopped across the pond, he didn't just bring New York attitude to Amsterdam – he created a sonic cocktail that would make both cities proud. From CBGB stalwart (with The Shirts) to international hook-craftsman, Lamonica proves that some voices age like fine wine, even if they started in dive bars.

"Paradise Is Free" isn't just an album title – it's twelve tracks of evidence that great songwriting knows no borders. Recorded between Manhattan's concrete canyons and Amsterdam's dreamy canals, it's what happens when New York grit gets a European polish. The result? Songs like "The Man Behind the Man With a Gun" (more hooks than a fisherman's tackle box) and "Hustle of the Crowd" (guaranteed to make your speakers do a little dance).

With a United Nations of musical talent backing him up, including wife Kathy (no security council veto required), Lamonica has crafted something that sounds both timeless and impossibly fresh. "Invisible Man" struts with classic rock swagger while wearing thoroughly modern boots, while every other track proves that paradise isn't a place – it's a state of mind with really good guitar tones.

For those seeking proof that authenticity never goes out of style, "Paradise Is Free" is your passport to pop perfection. Just remember: in a world of auto-tune, some voices were meant to keep their character.