Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Balboas - A Little Bit Of Fear


 | This release is different than their last. While it's more surfy a la the Original Surfaris, the mix is in the demo category, with the lead guitar buried and the rhythm much to distracting, which prevents many of the tracks from baring the fruit of the obvious power of the performance. The Balboas must be capable of one hell of a show. Vocals include "Santa Cruz," "Caught Inside," and "Delta Sonic Kiss." |
Picks: Hurricane Party, Bombora, Pesce Vino, Sea Of Flame, Thin Run, Driver's Side Hairbag, Attack Of The Fire Ants, 16 till Indo, Shake-N-Stomp, Undertow, Throttle
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Mix hard driving surf-n-slam low-E guitar crunch... punkabilly drums, and bass thunder, and you get the twang thrash of "Hurricane Party." There's little doubt that storm charged electricity is powering the amps.
Surf (Instrumental)
Ultra fast trashy assault on the Original Surfaris' classic mauler. Distant lead guitar and an irritating mix, yet the power is ever-present.
Surf (Instrumental)
Beneath the murk of the mix lies an aggressive dynamo of a surf cruncher. Excellent riff and ample power, and the variations in arrangement of the lead work keep it interesting.
Surf (Instrumental)
Damped reverb and a heavy surf sound. The lead riff is a thundering "Bombora" type thing delivered with a heavy duty pick. Full throated surf.
Surf (Instrumental)
Reminiscent of some Apemen tunes, this just needs a more sympathetic mix to cross into the urgent category. Great lead runs and power from the bass and drums. To me, the rhythm guitar detracts from overall effect.
Surf (Instrumental)
Great title, hokey riff, humorous feel... just fun, like a flippant Eddie Angel tune. Repetitious, but enjoyable.
Surf (Instrumental)
Surf thunder, big wham, double picked low-E drive, grumbling bass, frantic drums, and trashy rhythm guitar, which seems superfluous to the structure. Lots of power and an interesting lead line.
Surf (Instrumental)
Thick, menacing, plodding, and evil. "16 till Indo" is among the stronger tracks here, with a more interesting riff, a more developed arrangement, and rhythm guitar work that isn't in the way. The tribal drums and bass provide a great foundation for this mystical track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Dick Dale and his Del-tones' "Shake-N-Stomp" is completely reworked. The change is so complete, it's unnerving at first, but grows on you. More of a "based on" kinda treatment, it rolls with surf flair and drive, replacing Dick Dale's chunk with garage angst.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Mission Impossible riff rides aside a low-E surf lead. The middle features a narrated verse. Tribal drums and aggressive thunder.
Surf (Instrumental)
Raging tom toms, low-E double picked guitar, and solid power. Kinda like an accelerated Cramps with more growl and less camp, blended with dark storm break. Very cool.