Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | There are some fine songs here.. songs that are not on the band's CD. Why that is... I dunno! |
Picks: North Shore, Murder Clown, Sancho's Mule, SPF, Sea Of Crisis
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"North Shore" is a genuine surf track. Cruddy drum sound minimizes the drummer's performance. It's kind of riffy, but it's also infectious. The coolest parts are the glissandos that pan across the speakers. This is easily The BoomSticks best song.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Katia" implies a Middle Eastern theme. Cool drums are distant and cardboard sounding. I liked this at first, but by the time it was half over, I was already losing interest.
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Ska chords, a fascinating guitar line, punk drums, and thin sound. "Murder Clown" is a very interesting song needing a better recording. Plenty of energy, fun, and engaging ideas.
Surf (Instrumental)
A Spanish theme delivered with interesting reverb chords and excellent drums. Long floating bass notes create drama, as does the second guitar. "Sancho's Mule" is a really nice song just needing a better recording.
Surf (Instrumental)
"SPF" is way too fun. While derivative of several standards, the combination is pulsing, grumbly, menacing, and pure surf fun. This is a dark instro with a grin at the corner of its mouth.
Surf (Instrumental)
Slow, gentle shimmer, with an eerie sound. "Sea Of Crisis" is downright sad, as if it is an island dirge. Very moody and unhappy, yet there is a sense of a coming dawn.
Chupacabra 
Surf (Instrumental)
Crude mono sound from what must be a rehearsal. "Chupacabra" is all grumbly chunk and not much melody. The main riff cycles, but is not really engaging at all.
The City Of DEAD Children Rock (Instrumental)
"The City Of DEAD Children" is a slow moving song in a trio arrangement. The sparseness of the arrangement makes the poor drum sound stand out. It's interesting briefly, but quickly fades from attention.
Rock (Instrumental)
Crude mono sound and rough playing suggest this is just a rehearsal recording. The melody line is OK. The trio arrangement is refreshing after the chaos of the overdubbed tracks.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a lo-fi garage recording of Link Wray and his Raymen's "Rumble." Relatively uninspired. They do get the rising tremolo right at the end, until it falls apart.