Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

It's been way too long since I heard anything new from the Boardwalkers. Monster themes are now center stage, and the way they've attacked it is nothing short of brilliant. Great songs, big sound, powerful artful arrangements, and plenty of fun. This CD-R was recorded live at Mr. T's Bowl on February 16, 2001 by Jay Hector. It's not available for sale, just a glimpse into the band's new direction. So, the question is, when's a real CD gonna come out?

Picks: Wavemasters, Spiderwebs, Goblin Stomp, Vasquez Rocks, ToHo07 A Go-Go, Dancin' Madly Backwards / Totem Pole, Dr. Nauga and Mr. Hyde, Spy vs Spy ypS sv ypS, Icicles, Swampy, March of the Monsters, Magical Mystery Tour, Into The Void / Iron Man

Surf (Instrumental)

"Wavemasters" rolls and tilts with full bodied throb and twang over an infectious bass line. Great surf with an unusual rhythm and rockin' smooth power. mean without brute force. Excellent!

Surf (Instrumental)

Rumbling bass and vibrato weirdness as chords climb and fall, before giving way to a gently assaultive theme. Much more about celebrating the guitar than a melody, "Spiderwebs" is tribal and haunting.

Surf (Instrumental)

With a bit of a TV monster feel, "Goblin Stomp" is a finely crafted piece, well written and well thought out. The stinging whammy and the funky backtrack are very cool. There's no doubt they had grins on during this performance.

Latin Surf (Instrumental)

Tribal drums and Spanish themes portray a dramatic Latin scene with a sense of the Casbah as well. Rock solid! Aside from the bass player knocking the mic out of the way, this is a splendid track.

Spy Surf (Instrumental)

Spies and surfers, dangerous breaks, and rumbling outsiders threatening. The splashy heavily effected bridges are very cool. The main riff is pretty strong too. A tuff song for a stormy day.

Surf (Instrumental)

Dissonant and clumsy, "Dancin' Madly Backwards" awkwardly introduces the vibratoed and splendid "Totem Pole," as if the band was backing up just to get to "Totem Pole," an Indian motif number with wah wah breaks and a fine lead riff.

Surf (Instrumental)

A touch of a Bomboras structures here, though the performance is much stronger. Grand whammy and ringing notes over tribal drums and bass thunder. Simply fine, and a brilliant title for sure.

Surf (Instrumental)

Yes, that's right, "Spy vs Spy ypS sv ypS" reads the same in both directions. It also contains lots of chunk and espionage thrills. Much more about rhythm and riffs than melody, it nonetheless commands attention in a jazzy artful way.

Surf (Instrumental)

Soft and squishy, slow and silky, "Icicles" floats on a layer of crystalline water across a delicate seascape... that is until it launches into an inspired romp on a watery swell. While not really melodic, this thundering infectious number powers and jives with liquid ease.

Mambo Surf (Instrumental)

"Swampy" is a glorious tango de surf, a mambo del mar. Suave and smooth, surf and groove, warm and sunny, and tropical in a Latin way. The melody is splendid. You must hear this.

Monster Surf (Instrumental)

Ultra reverb surf monsters crash and writhe right in front of you. Demented and just way too cool! The controlled disaster that is the guitar in this track is devilishly twisted. Like the Reventlos on a 9'6" after eating a bad banana. A psychedelic surf nightmare.

Beatle Surf (Instrumental)

Yes, boys and girls, the Boardwalkers take on the Beatles' theatrical "Magical Mystery Tour." Surfy and poppy, frothy and gutsy.

Metal Surf (Instrumental)

Metal is such a rich mine for surf covers... yet it remains largely overlooked. The lads fear no evil as they plunder the sludge of "Iron Man." Way powerful, and really fast. Monstrous!