Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Challengers - Wipe Out
 | This is an odd CD single, with 4 tracks from late in the Challengers' career. Aside from "Crestline," you wouldn't miss it at all, and "Crestline" is not an essential track either. For the completist only. |
Picks: Wipe Out, Crestline, Work Song, North Beach
Track by Track Review
Wipe Out Surf (Instrumental)
Uninspired performance, with a weak guitar sound. While Hal Blaine's rolling drums make it different, there's no substitute for Ron Wilson's fluid performance.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Crestline" is a fine piece of writing, with a somewhat dangerous melody line and great drums and rhythm. Post surf string bending and an infectious construct. Probably the pick of the LP.
Work Song MOR (Instrumental)
Oscar Brown Jr. and Cannonball Adderley wrote this fine tune. Jim Waller & the Deltas and the Ray Beats, as well as several other surf bands made it shine. The Tijuana Brass brought it to the border. The Challengers laid it to rest.
Surf (Instrumental)
Great drums and a bouncy post surf rhythm support a somewhat soft dry surf lead. It's OK, but isn't going to burn your monitors up for sure.