Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Atlantics - Bomboradotdotdotdot
artworkThe first LP from the band that defined Australian surf music, The Atlantics! Many fine tracks are on this album released in October, 1963. My recommendation: Get everything they did!
Picks: Bombora, Adventures In Paradise, The Gremlin King, Dark Eyes, Glassy Walls, Turista, Surfers Paradise, Bluebottles, The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise, Moon Man

Track by Track Review


Bombora dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Pick noises and stinging notes, and a piercing lead fronting a speedster deluxe. This is definitely up to the standard they set with it on the CBS Australia release from the sixties. Totally infectious and driven. A grand Peter Hood/Jim Skiathitis tune.

Adventures In Paradise dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Challengers' version is so pretty. This is more eerie with quasi-Martin Denny bird calls. Odd, but cool.

The Gremlin King dotdotdotdot
Balkan Surf (Instrumental)

Double picked delicately with the Balkans in mind, this very cool almost minuet moves from frothy to chopped and rhythmic, with considerable infectious spirit.

Dark Eyes dotdotdotdot
Euro (Instrumental)

This traditional Euro instro is given new life with a creative arrangement and sound, merging traditional ideas and a Shadows style intensity. Lots of energy and very cool.

Glassy Walls dotdotdot
Near Surf (Instrumental)

An attempt at surf, but a Shadows sound and little surf feel. The damped Echoplex bits are nice.

Turista dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Semi-Mexican hat dance structure and a Three Suns sort of muffled twang. Nice, but tame.

Surfers Paradise dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

In a strange way, this has an "Endless Summer" feel to it, with a dry damped chop second guitar and a fluid bass line. It's quite tasty.

Bluebottles dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Boss vintage Atlantics with a sound that's a cross between their aggression and the more subdued Euro styles. The muted guitar parts are simply superb!

The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise dotdotdot
MOR (Instrumental)

"The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise" is a sorta MOR cha-cha, with a Shadows feel, like a tango de motherland, with a Les Paul feel. Pleasant, but not very interesting.

Free Fall dotdotdot
Country MOR (Instrumental)

Jumpy, sorta Roy Clarkish, with a nifty riff and quick picking. Cool drums, and not the Devons' tune.

Greensleeves dotdot
MOR Mung (Instrumental)

More MOR mung, slow and completely nonintrusive, almost ambient in the background music sense. Bonus Track.

Moon Man dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Whammy island cool tune with a driving Fireballs-like rhythm guitar and thumpy bass line. Very endearing.