Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Atlantics - Point Zero Backing Tracks
 | First off, I'm very glad that The Atlantics are doing this. In the sixties, The Ventures issued a series of backtrack album s that spawned a plethora of instrumental bands. This album, while not broken into individual instruments and instructions, provides a vehicle for budding lead played to play along with one of the best rhythm sections in modern surf. If you don't own, Point Zero, you should. If you play and are inspired by this superb band, then you should definitely own this as well. Surf on!
The reviews of the tracks here are of the complete tacks with Martin Cilia's flying leads. Image that's you! |
Picks: Point Zero, Gatecrasher, Beatbuster, Warp 5, Chatterbox, Blond Street, Return Of The Dolphins, Transatlantic, Sandbar Blues, Fez, Urban Surf, Hawaii Five-0, Surf A-Go-Go, After The Storm
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Point Zero" is an aggressive instro with a strong melody line and rhythm. It has plenty of energy and power, and the whammy/string bending action on the lead is very cool! Quite powerful!
Surf (Instrumental)
The great drums and chops of "Bombora" resurface in this monster. Very big stinging twang delivers an intense lead while the rolling rhythms and beat relentlessly power along. "Gatecrasher" is one cool song!
Surf (Instrumental)
Somewhat like a faster updated "Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt," this song pumps and grinds out riffin' energy like there's no tomorrow. Sparkling with solid drums and some interesting glissandos.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Warp 5" is an aggressive song in the classic Atlantics mold, but with thundering drums and a thick sound that's everywhere at once. Stinging guitar work and pummeling drums and bass. Quite good!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Chatterbox" is a playful and adventurous song with a tweaky melody line and thumpin' country edge. An interesting blend of genres and sounds.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Blond Street" could have been called "Bond Street" from a rhythm perspective, though the melody is much more Australian surf. Glissandos and powerful tone really deliver the goods.
Surf (Instrumental)
A cold wind blows across thundering drums in a song that's inspired by Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross." Morphed enough to be original, yet reverent enough to demonstrate the surfability of Peter Green's song. Martin Cilia wrote this tribal, dramatic and haunting song.
Surf (Instrumental)
Strident glissandos and Peter Hood's incredible drums really focus "Transatlantic" on big surf relentlessly powering into the bay. This is part rock, part surf, and all infectious power.
Surf (Instrumental)
A cycling rhythm pattern and walking bass line aptly support a double picked assault in compressed modern tone. "Sandbar Blues" is totally in the present, but it still has a very surf feel. Big whammy chords and stinging string bending. Very cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
This James Bond-ish is a fine example of the merger between surf and espionage. "Fez" sports a great rhythm and haunting melody. The bongos add to the spy ethic. Great stuff!
Surf (Instrumental)
Superb drums and bass rumble are the real heroes of "Urban Surf," but that certainly doesn't detract from the fine guitar work. It's just that they are so infectious! The melody is very strong, as is the string bending delivery. The rhythm guitar is an essential part of the mix too. Glissandos, rhythm, power... what more do you want?
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a relatively reverent cover of The Ventures' hit version of Mort Shuman's classic TV theme "Hawaii Five-0." Flying guitars and flaming glissandos really power this beyond the original or The Ventures version!
Surf (Instrumental)
Stereo muted rhythm and a quirky beat are really cool. The lead is sparse and bent as it first appears, and then the melody arrives with a playful stop-start style and a big grin. There's not a pore appropriate word to use to describe "Surf A-Go-Go" than fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
"After The Storm" is a slow and dramatic song with big bass and drums and rich lead tone. The rhythm's delicate style gives it a gentle feeling, while the rest of the band suggests a large scene of clearing skies.