Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Finally, a CD release from their earlier demos and more. Solid surf based instros with an inventive charm. Plenty of strong tracks, some with very unusual flute lead, like the extra groovy "The Guns Of Brixton."
Pete Python-flute-organ-synth, Johnny Torpedo-guitars, Messerschmidt Marzl-drums, and Jack Stuka-bass. |
Picks: El Ninjo, The Freedom Fighter, Mission A' Conda, Cordoba, Firewater, Juanita, Clip The Wrong Wire, Bram Pepper Shuffle, Absinth, The 9th Wave, Talbot, Gypsy Queen, The Custer Stomp, Marabunta, Pad, The Curse, Margaya, Timebomb, The Guns Of Brixton
Track by Track Review
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish chords warn of spaghetti western badguys in serapes on the horizon. The lumbering thunder menace of dribbling double picked drama and military drums portray stunning imagery. Damped meandering reverb and powerfully eerie danger. Exceptional!
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
A heavy reverb syrup darkens the drama of "The Freedom Fighter" with moody and picturesque danger. Tweaky weirdness invert the ominous scene while the bass and drums thunder undeterred.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Grumbly bass and manic drums create a nervous bed on which the Anacondas float a desperate gloom of reverb. Spies and seduction are afoot in this tale of espionage and danger.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Sub-carnival organ swirls below surfing spies in the mystery world of "Cordoba." Dramatic and adventurous, dark and flirty. A cool track.
R&B Surf (Instrumental)
This is the Premieres' tune, with raw sax and jumpin' R&B rhythms. Very tuff and spunky, with great drums. Fast and furious and mean. Yikes!
Surf (Instrumental)
Elusive Spanish mysteries float on a reverb cloud in "Juanita." Pretty, distant, emotional, sad, and soothing in a teary-eyed way.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Jonny and the Shamen's dribbly surf 'n' spy epic "Clip the Wrong Wire" gets a significant workout at the hands of the Anacondas. Percussively damped surf driven, with keys floating the melody line. Way cool!
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Vibrato shimmer on a progression path to the basement, where the refugees are hiding. Low key and more about the scene than a song. The flute adds a spy jazz edge.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
A cool progression and grunts of desire accent the surf and tweak over great drums. Thunder, distant storm surf, and spies behind every rock. Nice track.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
The Ventures' rhythmic b-side to "Damaged Goods" is grungily ground out. Where the V-boys pumped out the chords of "The Ninth Wave" in a light crunchy arrangement, the Anacondas make it grumbly and eerie.
Surf (Instrumental)
A playful guitar progression and racing drums whirl around a surfable sound with pumpin' bass. "Talbot" grows on you as it advances. It's adventurous and flippant.
Surf (Instrumental)
Eastern European gypsy influences permeate the strong melody line, and the rhythm powerful and mysterious. An excellent track.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Scouts' obscuro is twangy and dark, with great drums and pumpin' keys with a calliope feel. "The Custer Stomp" has lots of energy and crunch.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Marabunta" sports a rumbly spy sound with a pulsing vibrato hi note relentlessly riding over the top of the low-E lead. Intense and dangerous, this threatens at every turn.
Surf (Instrumental)
Bobby Summers' "Pad" is a playful surf adventure on a happy trip to the shore. An odd mixture of sounds and a floaty melody line, with a funky groove.
Surf (Instrumental)
Wolves howl while the twango whammies surf chords. "The Curse" is a light melody line with a distant sadness played out on surf guitar with flute in attendance. Moody and very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Fender IV's ultra intense "Mar Gaya" retains the relentless chords, sports distant reverb lead guitar, and a dark, almost syrupy reverb. Eerie and off the beaten path.
Surf (Instrumental)
The often covered "Time Bomb" is darkly pumped out. Where the Avengers VI used a lighter more surfy sound, the Anacondas use a whirling swirl against harsh grind chords. Quite interesting.
Surf (Instrumental)
It's more than a little interesting that the Clash's "The Guns Of Brixton" could be surfed up. The flute lead is incredible, and the surf chords behind it bring charm to this beach friendly track. Big fuzz break, lots of trashy charm, and quite refreshing. Very cool!
