Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Shredder has reissued their 10 mini album with five more surf-beach related tracks. The set is much more satisfying in this format, and it's budget release to boot. The original featured Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol, the Woodies, and the Tornadoes. Added are the Saboteurs, Phranc's incredible "Goofyfoot" (with Satan's Pilgrims), and Man or Astro-MAN? |
Picks: Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, Little Dume, Main Theme From The Smiler, Goofyfoot, Phantom, A Synthesis Of Previously Unknown Substances
Track by Track Review
Slaughter On Tenth Avenue 
Surf (Instrumental)
Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol contribute a rousing cover of "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" as the Ventures arranged it, but with real energy and Marks signature clean sound. This is among the best arrangements of this tune I've heard.
Surf (Instrumental)
Closing out side one is a great sounding track from my favorite Woodies, a song they've played for a few years now called "Little Dume" It's a wonderful tune, and this version is quite inviting, capturing your attention wholly while you play the disc.
Main Theme From The Smiler Surf (Instrumental)
Melodic movie theme stuff, not very inspired, but well played. Marks' interpretation is smooth and complimentary.
Surf (Instrumental)
Phranc plays acoustic guitar backed up by Satan's Pilgrims. It's not the Lively Ones' tune, but it is pretty unusual and cool, though very badly mixed, with the lead guitar much to buried. Phranc's occasional vocalizing is nearly missing in the mix, but her utterances of "Hey Goofy Foot" are priceless. This is a very rhythmic track. Boffo deluxe!
Surf (Instrumental)
The Hollywood Tornadoes first new track in thirty years closes out the set. It's called "Phantom," and it's from Phantom of the Opera. Still, it's an OK track.
A Synthesis Of Previously Unknown Substances Surf (Instrumental)
I just can't get into Man or Astro-MAN? much. Their music just isn't melodic enough to stand up to multiple listenings. Sorry.