Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Continuing their imaginative journey, Los Banditos present a baker's dozen tracks in a homogenous mix of styles and sounds. A couple of surf tracks amid a dense cluster of spy, go-go, and rock instros. Vocals include the gutty rock, slightly Kraan-ish "Felbeszakadt Koncert," the hard chunk and vintage near-Elvis suave of "Magic Touch"

Picks: Nautilus, Ekstase, Derrick, Abschied In Bistrija, Hotspot, Zauberflute, Heisse Reiten, Tanzfest In Rudotstadt, Die Munner Aus Dem Spektrum, Munnerfreundschaft, Iron Man

Spy (Instrumental)

The sound of not-so-silent running and sonar pings bring on a vibrato shimmered song with an espionage oriented melody line. Some cheesy organ adds to the spyscape. Groovy like the go-go spy sounds it is born of, but gutsier.

Psychedelic (Instrumental)

The album's title track features some cool drums and fuzzy psych intensity, with an edge of space and a nod to Davie Allan's "Cycledelic," not as intense of long, but hinting of it's edgy groove. Very cool!

Pre-Funk Discotheque (Instrumental)

A jazzy bass opens this track, which becomes a thick late sixties pop-psych adventure with a fine melody and choppy pre-funk discotheque rhythm. "Derrick" is adventurous and fun.

Exotica (Instrumental)

Exotica and mysterious Mediterranean rhythms sway in a sensual wash of percussive chords and bongos. "Abschied In Bistrija" is like an updated late fifties thing with edge and charm. The dry guitar carries a memorable and mysterious melody. An excellent track.

Near Surf (Instrumental)

The ocean laps at the sand as the surfy "Hotspot" ensues. On the verge of surf, with edge and shallow swimming whammy, and a thick wash of sounds. This is a captivating song with a surfable melody and unique sound. Warbles and chunk.

Rock (Instrumental)

This thumpy rock instro sports a riff rock sound, with a keyboard flute inserted. Not a melody in sight, but the catchy archetypal riff and quirky "flute" are just too fun to ignore.

Organ Rock (Instrumental)

Like a rhythmic nod to Johnny and the Hurricanes, "Heisse Reiten" harkens to a time when American Bandstand ruled and instros with catchy melodies were on the charts. This is just too fun!

Tanz Der Youth (Instrumental)

Yikes! "Tanzfest In Rudotstadt" is a very cool track, with a lightweight rhythm and groovy guitar, plus a long-reverbeed floor tom. It's an oom-pah-pah fest with rock sensibilities. You can not hold back your grin as you listen to this song. An unpretentious tuba and guitar tanz der youth!

Surf (Instrumental)

The surf sparkle of "Die Munner Aus Dem Spektrum" is endearing and very cool, as is the whammy charm and great glissandoes. This song is a marvelously catchy and curl-bourne journey. The break is soft and warm, while the main song is adventurous and powerful. Great track!

Rock (Instrumental)

Manic drums launch a poppy organ over a Golliwogs "Walk On The Water" riff. Choppy and percussive.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Iron Man" is unlisted on the sleeve, and appears about 11 minutes into track 12. Drum laden, funky, strange, and not unlike the kind of thing the Mutants might do. Way fun.