Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Acapulco Riders Band - Surf Fronterizo
 | Seven superb songs on this disc from Acapulco Riders Band. Their sound is a little different, being crisper and more delicate. It took me a little while to warm to it, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. "Latido" is a wonderful spaghetti western song. |
Picks: Bronceadores Y Vinilos, Monzon, Espuelas, Surfin Frankenstein, Olas Y Pistolas, Acapulco, Latido
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Bronceadores Y Vinilos" is engaging via its muted notes and circular patterns. Warm whammy, circling riffs, glissandos, and ska-like sidebars. Highly original, maybe suggesting some of the early nineties LA sounds.
Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish romantic intensity, gritty chords, and pulsing rhythms. "Monzon" employs a galloping beat at times, and a well developed arrangement. It's a little moody, but not dark at all. This song grew on me.
Surf (Instrumental)
Stereo muted guitars provide a spaghetti surf bed augmented with shallow whammy chords and a fine desert melody. "Espuelas" has a solid melody and visual sound. It's slightly moody - maybe even sad.
Surf (Instrumental)
The melody line here is more Middle eastern than gypsy dangerous like one would expect of Frankenstein. Some tasteful whammy chords and glissandos, and tense guitar interplay.
Surf (Instrumental)
Glissandos and really solid drums, plus thumping bass host a interesting guitar parts. The second guitar is essential to the functioning of the lead, bringing a dissonant and unsettling feel to an otherwise optimistic melody. Tremolo danger and a stormy image complete the picture.
Surf (Instrumental)
A bit spy like, "Acapulco" features moody stereo muted lines and really solid bass. The great drums are essential to the track's power. Very cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish trumpet and guitar lines with exotic percussion give "Latido" a film score feel. Like a sad Ennio Morrecone epic, the song paints a spatial picture of quiet desperation. I really like this.