Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Brainwashers - Be Careful With That Surfboarddotdotdotdot
artworkThe Brainwashers exhibit a high level of spirit and energy, dripping fun and calories, and meandering between power surf, playful water music, and exotic sounds. Great trad based modern surf, and a fine first CD release. I hope to hear a lot more from these guys. Pete Weinberger of the Surf Trio is the guitarist here.
Picks: Lucky Surfer, Bombora, Foiled, Oh Calcutta, Stacy, Vibro Surf, Dripper, Black Widow, Benzodiasapan, Barbie's Coat, G. A. S. P.

Track by Track Review


Lucky Surfer dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Chunky pure surf, trad sounds and stylings, based on a progressive melody line. The two guitars play off of each other well, as do the bass and drums. Fine double picking, variations in tone and texture, all contributing to a fine ride. Happy, and infectious. Great track.

Bombora dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A somewhat different treatment of the Original Surfaris' classic, which some changes to the guitar lines, and an unusual sound shift between drums and guitar. The low-E double picking is strong, and the chorded break adds an interesting variation. Fine track.

Foiled dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This track sports an almost Paul Johnson-like melody, like a minor Tally Ho with speedy double picked dribbling guitar breaks, for a very infectious sound. The high note fun is offset by the low note grind. A wonderful track.

Oh Calcutta dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Oh My! Going to too many musicals leads to ingrown hangnails, except when protected by a veil of reverb. Fun, spiffy, and spirited.

Stacy dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a playful fluffy track, aimed squarely at some femme fatale, with a stereotypical surf bunny name. A very fun and enjoyable track.

Vibro Surf dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Jeepers, grandpa, where'd that come from? This is a spectacular, dynamic, and different surf monster! The melody is strong, the arrangement is infectious, and the rhythm is pure surf. The ringing outboard reverb sound and power playing and big surf whammy chords strike a blow for freedom! Amazingly good track.

Dripper dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a big chord, whammy injected, double picked surf monster. Power, style, and magnetic pizzazz all gang up on you. Not terribly melodic, but who the Hell cares. Love the super high note dribbles!

Black Widow dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is Link Wray's classic, played a lot like the version by the Nobles, but translated like Dick Dale would if he'd have thought of it. A fine surf rendering.

Benzodiasapan dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Chunky, big production, melodic in a Euro instro style, spiffy lead guitar, nice acoustic rhythm, and a very pleasing structure. Quite a nice track.

Barbie's Coat dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Visions of skinny plastic dolls, airhead blondes, playful beach party flick scenes, like the kinda thing the Wedge did with "Debbie." This is a fun track.

G. A. S. P. dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Dark evil super chambered reverb, brooding melody line, and a different tonality than the rest of the CD. It's a nice change, like when the Original Surfaris cut "Gum Dipped Slicks." It rolls right along, being a great track to listen to while you drive with the top down at noon on Highway 1.