Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Caminos - Cheating Death
| 11 new tracks from Vancouver's Los Caminos. This third effort contains some really nice tracks. The most notable element of Los Caminos' music is compelling western rhythms. |
Picks: Apache Pass, Buena Vista, Incarcerated, Colombian Marching Powder, Gunsmoke, Riptide 63, Big Red Deville, Bailarina Dulce, Chica Caliente, Hodad
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
The main riff here is the kind of progression that was commonly developed in the day, giving "Apache Pass" a credible surf connection. The break is similar to xxxxxxxxx. This is a fairly basic number, but it's also satisfying.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Buena Vista" begins in a very cool manner, with drama and intrigue. A splendid progression and gruff glissando yields to a catchy melody line. Some double picking, some not, and drums that seem to really hold the song together.
Surf (Instrumental)
Infectious chords, glissandos, gritty tone, and a galloping beat. Whammy chords and a bit of darkness give "Incarcerated" a heavy traveling sound. Quite nice.
Colombian Marching Powder Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish flair, a splendid rhythm, and a very delicate acoustic lead guitar. The contrast between the heavy rhythm and the acoustic is enticing, though the acoustic could be higher in the mix.
Cowboy Surf (Instrumental)
Thick chunk and a string-bending melody create a western adventure. The lead is bit rock oriented for my taste, yet I did enjoy the track, in part for its wonderful rhythm.
Surf (Instrumental)
Modern tone delivers an edgy progression, with verses segmented by long whammy chords. The muted verse is exceptionally cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a splendid song, with circular chop rhythms and a catchy melody line. "Big Red Deville" caught me right away. There is some drama here, as well as adventure in open spaces. Very nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
Easy going, delicately flowing, and moody, "Bailarina Dulce" uses acoustic guitar to deliver a lovely Spanish melody and slightly sad sound. This is very pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Stumbleweed" is spunky riff rockin' fun with more rock feel than surf or western. Relentlessly moving, and it has a great title.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Chica Caliente" has very cool rhythm guitar chords driving over a circulating melody line. This is infectious in a soft spoken way, not that it's quiet, but it doesn't need to whack you upside the head to catch your fancy.
Surf (Instrumental)
ON the playful side, "Hodad" has a really sunny lead guitar and splendid melody. This is the standout the Cheating Death album. It is catchy, warm, and rhythmic.