Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This compilation of releases from the Rarity label is about 1/3 surf and 2/3 Shadows based. Very enjoyable for the most part, and a glimpse of many bands that do not have US distribution. I particularly like the Surf Rats and the Vickings. Being volume 15, I guess I have some catching up to do.

Picks: Dance On, Kon Tiki, Shindig, Mandschurian Beat, Johnny Guitar / La Comparsa, Surf Party, Banzai Washout, Rat Motor, Ajoen Ajoen, Bongo Blues #2, Atlantis, My Happiness, No Trespassing, Windy and Warm, Wipe Out, Samba Oelek, Ferry To Finland, Hot Rod, Mr. Moto, Penetration, Millennium Theme, Mustang, Return Of The Gladiators, Crunch, Lonesome Moonride, Angel On Your Shoulder

Shadows (Instrumental)

This is a spirited rockin' cover of the Shadows' "Dance On." Somewhere between the original and the Challengers' version, this is very good.

Shadows (Instrumental)

Solid rock cover of the Shadows' tune. Big twang and long sustain via echo.

Shadows (Instrumental)

A solid version of the Shadows' tune. Not particularly distinguished from the original. Bouncy and tuff.

Shadows (Instrumental)

Long leaning sustain on the guitar and an eastern European melody line. Nice track, like a film score kinda thing.

Surf (Instrumental)

The UK rock classic "Johnny Guitar" is merged with the sad and beautiful "La Comparsa" for a fresh sound and vision. Quite pretty.

Surf (Instrumental)

A solid reverent performance of this classic Astronauts track. Rich and rhythmic, with continuous energy.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a big chord power surge version of the Catalinas' "Banzai Washout." Fiery and whammy rich, the Surf Rats give it a different sound with rounder tone and ringing notes. Very cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Rat Motor" is a melodic moderately paced surf tune with a great feel to it. The rhythm track is a lot like "Penetration," but when merged with the lead and drums, it's quite different... unique actually.

Surf (Instrumental)

Rich surf tone and a Spanish surf theme with the kind of joy expressed in "Rik-A-Tik," but less bouncy. A very nice track.

Shadows Rock (Instrumental)

This is intensely driven and Shadows-like, without being derivative. Lots of energy and great drums. Very fun.

Shadows (Instrumental)

A delicate delivery in pure Shadows style of their melodic thematic piece. Nearly every version of "Atlantis" I've heard is good.

Island Surf (Instrumental)

This has a very Hawaiian feel to it, with deeply reverbed long chords and rolling drums. It's on the soft side, and certainly pretty.

Surf (Instrumental)

Mostly progressional, this cover of the Ventures' "No Trespassing," which is much like "Moovin' and Groovin'," is well played. The raw sound does not do justice to the band.

Surf (Instrumental)

John D. Loudermilk's "Windy And Warm" is just so playful and fun. Despite the cruddy sound, this is a very fun track.

Surf (Instrumental)

A pedestrian cover of the Surfaris' first single. No one is ever going to do it better, so why try?

Surf (Instrumental)

Pop Muzak smoothly played. A catchy melody line, but an unremarkable arrangement.

Euro (Instrumental)

Shallow twang from a thin sounding guitar delivers a fluid melody with bounce and charm. Derivative, yet charming.

Surf (Instrumental)

Big guitar progression jammin' power drive reverbed twang. This is a little like some of the Evasions' tunes. Pretty fun, fast, and even a little cute.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is an interesting cover of the Belairs' definitive "Mr. Moto." While no one is going to surpass Paul Johnson's original take, this certainly is right up there with other fine covers. More than reverent, it employs lots of reverb and some nice little enhancements, plus some great glissandoes.

Surf (Instrumental)

A rock solid reverb drenched damped lead over a tuff rhythmic bead... this is a very cool more than reverent version of the Pyramids' classic "Penetration." Infectious for sure.

Euro (Instrumental)

"Millennium Theme" is a beautiful MOR theme, played on richly toned guitar. Mid tempo and fluffy.

Cowboy (Instrumental)

Rolling drums and rich guitar twang out this melodic cowboy epic. The melody line has a nifty lilt to it, living somewhere between the Shadows and the American West.

Shadows (Instrumental)

Military drums, a tango feel, and a Shadows Spanish sound together in a pop structure. Very pretty, like the Challengers' "Guitar Tango."

Rock (Instrumental)

Big rock guitar driven blues based jammin' fun. The riff is nice enough, and it's infectious as well.

MOR (Instrumental)

Soft spoken and lush, "Lonesome Moonride" is sad and echoed in a Shadows style.

Cowboy (Instrumental)

Vibratoed melodic and kinda cowboy, "Angel On Your Shoulder" is actually pretty cool. It's soft and simple, yet very nice too.