Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Big Surf - Action Heroesdotdotdotdot
artworkFinally, a full release from Big Surf. This is a fine CD with lots to enjoy, from slow perfection to faster intricacy and almost laughing playfulness.
Picks: Tarfoot, Diamond Head, Monsta Stomp, High Plains Marinara, Darkwave, Blue Surf, Rap City, Naval Patrol, Prowl, Ace 10, Falafel, Gotham Blues, Bareback, Journey To The Stars, Stormwatch, Ebb Tide

Track by Track Review


Tarfoot dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Wow, this is cool! Rich Russian influences, surf reverb, glissandos, punch, classical feel, and dramatic flare. Very playful and infectious, "Tarfoot" is intellectually challenging while retaining the emotional content of surf.

Diamond Head dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Big Surf do a fairly straight version of the Ventures' "Diamond Head" with great damped reverb rhythm and dribbling glissandoes. Very reverent and excellent listening.

Monsta Stomp dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Heavy lumbering footsteps bring on a pumpin' stomp with monsters in mind. "Monsta Stomp" is a little spacy, a little thrashy, and much about the grumble.

High Plains Marinara dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

One might suspect a spaghetti western from the title. One would not be disappointed. A galloping cowboy rhythm, and semi-Italian theme, a laps steel's plaintiff cry, and a quirky overall feel. "High Plains Marinara" is a good time bouncing instro chompin' at the bit for a ride down the trail.

Darkwave dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Gloom and danger permeate "Darkwave" like murder on the surf or undead riders inside the curl. Lumbering and deadly, with drama and a forbidding sound.

Blue Surf dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Blue Surf" is a soft ride in a settling post-storm sea. It undulates like a surge's circular swirl in a rocky cove as the sun breaks through the overcast. Pretty with a sense of relief.

Rap City dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a very nicely done cover of the Ventures' surf conversion of Brahms' "Hungarian Rhapsody." This is a very nicely done version!

Naval Patrol dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a spirited and very playful song, with a sense of classical and flying fingers. Rolling down the highway on the way to the best surf party ever, "Naval Patrol" is simply fun. Excellent!

Prowl dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a slow moving gentle afternoon waiting for the surf kinda song with jazzy incisions in it's surf carriage. Lazy and fluid, and perfect for an afternoon nap at Pleasure Point.

Ace 10 dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A pinch of suave, some vibrato shimmer, a dose of quirk, and a dash of pepper... yes, it's kinda like that. Complex and mathematical, liquid and dangerous, and moody. "Ace 10" is an intriguing track.

Falafel dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Opening like a gentle summer rain, "Falafel" becomes a circular middle eastern based song in praise of those little balls of vegetable matter in white sauce. Very cool and enticing.

Gotham Blues dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Lap steel cries for NYC as if some death occurred, but the mortician is a saddle tramp and the departed a medicine show barker. Quite unusual, and pretty darn cool.

Bareback dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Kinda cowboy, kinda longboard, and kinda swirly. "Bareback" is a strong track with depth and classical complexity. An adequate supply of spiff keeps this in the tube.

Journey To The Stars dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

An extended space travel intro borne of tape echo brings on a fairly traditional rendition of the Ventures' "Journey To The Stars." the big thunder and the double picked edge are intact, as is the space-surf feel. Very nice!

Stormwatch dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Heavy dark thunder, dramatic percussion, grumbling bass, and vibrato rhythm... "Stormwatch" is a dominating track that portrays just what its title implies. An excellent instro with throb and shimmer. The damped plucked lines are very cool!

Ebb Tide dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Ebb Tide" is a very cool and liquefied instro with dribbling guitar lines, a moody and picturesque melody line, and a sense of optimism after a trial of some sort. Very moving indeed.