Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The AmpFibians - Wild Watusi Weekend
| There is a lot to absorb here. 10 tracks with substantially more intensity than earlier work, much of which is quite commanding. |
Picks: Hot Lava Pants, Theme From The AmpFibian, 99 Luftballoons, Strip Surf, Ghost Riders In The Sky, Ataque De Los Conquistadores, High Seas Drifter, Spies In Love
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
deluxe tremolo throb starts "Hot Lava Pants" out. It's a splashy chorded, not really surf structured instro, but it has the tone and the glissandos, and that tremolo grit! Lots of energy and drive, and superb balance between the guitar, bass, and drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Theme From The AmpFibian" has a thick and slow tortured whammy sound that's rather compelling. The walking bass line and drums compliment the guitar really well. Slightly sad, but mostly open to the road ahead.
Surf (Instrumental)
melodic and poppy, with reverb chords and a bouncy sound. The bass and drums are heavier than the pop melody. Not really being familiar with Nena's "99 Luftballoons," I'm guessing this is a cover there of.
Surf (Instrumental)
A tasteful trio rendering of Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk" gets pints for the slithery bass. It's somewhat heavy, with a thick sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
Jazzy detective theme with grit and sliding pick. The slither really makes "Strip Surf" come alive. Great drums and bass, and engaging guitar dementia.
Surf (Instrumental)
Stan Jones' classic cowboy epic is done with an eye on roots rock. The drums and bass line are very similar to The Cadillac Angels' version, but slower with sort of Jim Thomas guitar phrasing. It's a lethal combination that's right in the groove. Very cool!
Ataque De Los Conquistadores Surf (Instrumental)
Thick whammy chords and fine tom toms pump up "Ataque De Los Conquistadores." I half expected a cover of The Chantays' "Conquistador," but alas, this is nothing like that at all. Powerful, huge, thick, and loaded with guitar antics. This is intense!
Surf (Instrumental)
Slow and dramatic, "High Seas Drifter" meanders a thick desert scene with superb drums and bass. Some wonderful guitar transitions from surf to tremolo grit and psychedelic warbles. Implying Jimi Hendrix surf beat, this really grows on you.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big twang on this classic The Ventures song. It's powerfully delivered, but in the end it didn't bring me back.
Surf (Instrumental)
Substantially updated from the earlier version, "Spies In Love" is still slow and lush, but the heavier, thicker arrangement changes the song a lot. I am still deciding which version I like better. I think, in the end, it will depend on your mood.