Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Balls - Come Out Swingin'
 | This is a compiled set of several tracks by the Balls available from varied sources on the web. Nick Kane (Mavericks) heads up this outfit. Rock instros with seriously tight performances and tuff sound. By their own description, this is "biker surf blues garage prog rock." |
Picks: Dog Eat Dog, On Three, Last Ride, Link, Toadie, The Ayatollah, Wafting Wafting, To The Green Green Shores, Godspeed Pachelballs, Pachelballs, Blue Rondo Ala Frank
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
"Dog Eat Dog" is a strong rock instro with drive and power. The guitar is big with a commercially viable style. Heavy and aggressive.
Rock (Instrumental)
A grand circulating classical riff is driven by jazzy bass and precision frantic drums. "On Three (The Balls...Come Out Swinging)" is a splendid modern rock instro with an enduring and intricate mathematical basis.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Last Ride" is a long and well developed track, timing out at 6:51. It's sophisticated in a rock 'n' roll way. Thick and lumbering, with a wind blowing through long hair kinda way. Very strong!
Rock (Instrumental)
beginning as a slow lumbering monster, evolving into a heavy menace, "Link" is surely a nod to Link Wray, but it's also like a swimming metal avalanche that's slowly overtaking you. Very cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
On the mathematical side, "Toadie" is large and heavy, with very active double kick drum. It's a pure rock instro.
Rock (Instrumental)
"The Ayatollah" is a dark circulating number with a deliberate pace and serious frown. It's heavy in a classical sense, and quite engaging. While it's kind of mathematical, it's also a bit jazzy. A lumbering pace creates a serious attitude.
Surf (Instrumental)
The title implies the soundscape wash that "Wafting Wafting" is. Short and atmospheric.
To The Green Green Shores, Godspeed Pachelballs Rock (Instrumental)
This bluesy epic with organ swirl and a deliberate pace has an almost British Blues feel to it. Heavy and darkly textured.
Rock (Instrumental)
Johann Pachelbel's suite turned Christmas classic gets a rockin' treatment with a lot of sophisticated arranging. "Canon" transverses a number of very nice changes with delicacy, drama, and art. This is a really pleasant change from the formula arrangements that are so prevalent.
"Part 1 - Prelude" is a magical mix of emotion, liquid flow, and precision. It's quite compelling.
"Part 2 - Canon" is the portion of the suite that is associated with Christmas music. This is a superb rendering, with a large and dramatic sound.
"Part 3 - Cannonade" is a drum solo bridge between parts 2 and 4.
"Part 4 - Finale" launches from rock drums into a precision circulation of wonderful guitar notes.
"Pachelballs" is a superb exercise in translating classical into rock instro. If you like Get Wet or Keith Relf's Renaissance, you'll enjoy this track immensely.
Rock (Instrumental)
Dave Bruebeck's amazing jazz classic "Blue Rondo Ala Turk" gets a mathematically precise rock treatment with a sense of tux and tattoos. Rock'n'roll is such a flexible style, lending itself (as here) to virtually any other form. This is excellent!