Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | This is a wonderful set of Norse surf tunes. many fresh sounds and some really strong tracks. Recommended! |
Picks: The Brutal Twisters - Terror Indicator, Serial Killer, The Dangermen - Cruel Sea, Monster Beat, Happy Times - Return Of The K-Man, The Night Creepers - Magical Me, Dirty Dancer, The Rocket Motors - Giant Leap, Joe Kittinger, The Silver Hawks - Mashed Potato Washout, Blindside Surf, Half-Pipe Line, El Supernaut - Deaf Man's Surf - Beethoven's Ninth, Ode To Mr. Lee And Mr. Harris, The Supertubes featuring Robi Boloderic - Crystal T., Surfing Blue - Happy Taikonauts, Spacebar Tango, The Waikiki Kuks - Pipeline, Intoxica
Track by Track Review
The Brutal Twisters - Terror Indicator 
Surf (Instrumental)
This is quite original, part surf, part roots, part I don't know what. The melody line is interesting, and the whammy chords endearing. The break sports wah wah guitar for a more psych-lounge feel.
The Brutal Twisters - Serial Killer Surf (Instrumental)
Thick fuzz guitar demand that you watch out. Sax hails vintage rock, and the bass and drums grumble under it all. "Serial Killer" is a fine track that's loud and original.
The Dangermen - Cruel Sea Surf (Instrumental)
This is a competent cover of The Dakotas' "Cruel Sea." It's played really well, with surf fire and splash. Some very cool licks are found here. The sound is somewhat demo-like, limiting the impact of the fiery performance.
The Dangermen - Monster Beat Surf (Instrumental)
A galloping beat and long echoed guitar tone with Euro whammy drive "Monster Beat" right home. Its beat is very infectious, and the sweeping sound compelling. The keys are non-surf, but the song still works really well.
Earl and the Slimline - Sabotaged Urks Surf (Instrumental)
Gritty slowish danger with spy dissonance. There's nothing surf about this, but it has a big sound and oozes dimly lit streets and spies.
Happy Times - Return Of The K-Man Surf (Instrumental)
Spyish and dramatic, with some edgy guitar and rock solid bass, "Return Of The K-Man" is a faster number with a compelling sound. Very cool - Happy Times rock on this one!
The Night Creepers - Magical Me Surf (Instrumental)
"Magical Me" is a heavy number with a loud sound and plenty of spunk. Great interplay between the drums and the guitars, and really solid bass playing. Not exactly infectious, but very powerful, and it will bring you back again and again.
The Night Creepers - Dirty Dancer Surf (Instrumental)
Strong drums and dark guitar alternating with a slightly jazz chords and attack. The melody line is a basic riff, but the fills and arrangement make that OK.
The Rocket Motors - Giant Leap Surf (Instrumental)
Spy keys and guitar licks, double picked playfully. "Giant Leap" cycles through some fine moments, and there is a lot of energy here too.
The Rocket Motors - Joe Kittinger Surf (Instrumental)
Some really nice guitar licks, big mysterious energy, and whammy chords. The rhythm is catchy, and the song endearing. Chorus gives "Joe Kittinger" a spaghetti western feel.
The Silver Hawks - Mashed Potato Washout Surf (Instrumental)
This is a really fun song, with rich textures and a wash of guitars and keys. It's loud and powerful, but also melodic and fluid. The main riff is exotic, perhaps inspired by middle eastern progressions.
The Silver Hawks - Blindside Surf Surf (Instrumental)
Rhythmic and open road adventurous, "Blindside Surf" features long flowing lead lines and a bouncy rhythm track. It's a spatial sound that invokes open air images. This is modern and very cool.
The Silver Hawks - Half-Pipe Line Surf (Instrumental)
Double picked, dark, and uplifting. I love this. Excellent guitar lines and perfect bass and drums. "Half-Pipe Line" is fanciful and heavy, dark and rhythmic, and superbly engaging.
El Supernaut - Deaf Man's Surf - Beethoven's Ninth Surf (Instrumental)
This is perfect! Ludwig van Beethoven's "9h Symphony" rips like a surf Christmas carol. Superbly melodic and dripping notes fed from wonderful double picking. El Supernaut play splendidly!
El Supernaut - Ode To Mr. Lee And Mr. Harris Surf (Instrumental)
"Ode To Mr. Lee And Mr. Harris" rips, with notes pouring off the lead guitar like they were made to dribble. Muted echoed water, strings of pearly notes, and great drums and bass. This is amazing.
The Supertubes featuring Robi Boloderic - Crystal T. Surf (Instrumental)
Robi Boloderic of The Bitch Boys brings his signature slithering sound to The Supertubes crunchy surf tones. The Chantays' "Crystal T." is superb, with notes just dripping off the lead guitar. Over the top cool!
Surfing Blue - Happy Taikonauts Surf (Instrumental)
If you guessed from the title that "Happy Taikonauts" would be upbeat, you were right. Happy, playful, and very fun. Ska keys add interest. This is hard not to like.
Surfing Blue - Spacebar Tango Surf (Instrumental)
Slow and a bit moody, "Spacebar Tango" features wonderful ringing chords and a circular riff in the opening. The main melody is simple and slightly dangerous against the delicate backtrack. Quite nice.
The Waikiki Kuks - Pipeline Surf (Instrumental)
This is a fine version of The Chantays' "Pipeline." The stereo rhythm guitar's grit adds to the power, which is only amped up during the grode glissandos. Very strong.
The Waikiki Kuks - Intoxica Surf (Instrumental)
Big guitar twang via shallow tremolo deliver Neal Nissensen's "Intoxica" new life. Thick and twang dominated.