Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Aloha Screwdriver - No Way Out
 | This CD ep contains some mighty nice tracks. Founded in surf punk, developed into a less frantic and more developed soundscape than surf punk usually means, and nicely recorded. Aloha Screwdriver are, at their core, a reformed Chachi, Boba Fett, and the Wookiee. |
Picks: No Way Out, Death Grip, Escape From Robot Island, Like A Fist Through Water, Double Barrel, Tin Star Head Wound, Eating, Drinking And Killing, Cecilia Ann
Track by Track Review
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
"No Way Out" is a variant of Dick Dale's "Nitro." It's virtually identical at times, and different at others. Excellent picking and surf punk edge.
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
"Death Grip" reminds me of a slower Torpedoes (Brian Poole) in it's structure. The main riff cycles primarily, and the energy and beat are punk. The fuzz bass break is augmented with a stinging whammy chord.
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
Stompin' rhythm and drums, with whammy, big rock chords, and a tasteful melody line. Punkin' with fuzz bass, and thick drama. "Escape From Robot Island" snuck up on me.
Like A Fist Through Water Surf Punk (Instrumental)
Big chords reminiscent of "For Your Love" open "Like A Fist Through Water," which is otherwise more delicate and moody, with tom toms and thick chords separating verses. The textural contrasts are very nice.
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
"Double Barrel" is fast and frantically double picked. Its punk ethics and thick chords place it squarely in short board territory.
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
Big dramatic chords launch "Tin Star Head Wound." It has a western flavor, interesting drums and bass, and guitar edge. I think this is perhaps where surf punk was destined to go... into more melodic, artful writing, with intricate and compelling drum work, and spunked by melodic bass. An excellent track.
Eating, Drinking And Killing Surf Punk (Instrumental)
Cowboy energy and spunk, cactus danger, and double picked danger. "Eating, Drinking And Killing" is an exhilarating track, with strong melody and rhythms, and great tom tom breaks.
Surf Punk (Instrumental)
The Surftones' "Cecilia Ann" is the one song carried forward from Aloha Screwdriver's roots as Chachi, Boba Fett and the Wookiee. This time they slowed it down significantly, and de-distortioned it some, though the angular chords still sting. Superb!