Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is the first of probably many compilations spawn by mp3.com's surf stable. It's a good first set, containing some real surf, some outskirts riders, and a couple of trailblazers. This sort of thing is a good promotional vehicle for the bands.

Picks: The Work Bottle, The Snake, Kamikaze, Trailspotting, Rippin', Midnight Ride, Spyder-Man, Investigation, Infernal Machine, Instant Curry, Albatross Joe, Flippin' Out, Surf Till You Die!!!, Hot Rod Burnout, Riptide

Acoustic Surf (Instrumental)

Acoustic rhythmic chord progression instrumentalization, without even a hint of surf until the double picked guitar appears buried in the backdrop. It's quite an interesting voyage through semi exotic riffs and unusual sounds. It has an infectious rhythm, and an intense chop.

Surf (Instrumental)

Shimmering vibrato makes for a different sound for this band. The melody is a basic progression, but it works really well. The textures are very surfy and very shiny. A fine track from their "Good For The Country" CD.

Surf (Instrumental)

Surf and punchy drums, riffs and reverb, drama and gusto. The compressed percussion gives it an AM radio feel, with a shimmering vibrato wave riding relentlessness. Tasty track, with plenty of drive. It just not melodic enough to leap out of the pack.

Surf (Instrumental)

Intense middle eastern double picked madness. The sound is thin, but the power and performance are excellent. Major energy, lots of punch, and an evil siege on the oasis feel. Chunky and spunky.

Surf (Instrumental)

No closer to surf than Gary Hoey. Big festival guitar hero riffs and effects. A chunky backtrack, but with mostly showoff noodling in lieu of a melody, this is much more flash than substance. Where are the Scorpions when you need them?

Surf (Instrumental)

From the opening horror laugh, this ominous track reeks of monsters riding the waves after dark, haunting the surf, and stalking the unsuspecting. The throbbing stereo of the evil one yields way to a chunky pure surf monster. This is just the best! From their "Swimmin' In The Reverb" CD.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Spyder-Man" is a heavy chunk grinder, but too riffy for my tastes. From "All The News That's Fit To Surf."

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a very odd track. I found I was drawn to it. The dry chop rhythm is louder than the reverbed lead. The melody riff is pretty basic, but in combination with the dry chop, it's quite endearing. It has a tense yet fluid sound, wistful yet nervous. Tasty surf whammy, with a warn island feel ass viewed through the smoked glass of a limo. Most unusual, and quite enjoyable.

Surf Grunge (Instrumental)

Heavy crunch and thunder, a melodic riff, the drama of Agent Orange circa 1982, the vision of Plank, and the drive of deep circuit saturation. Thundering tom toms, gutty guitar, rumbling bass. It has the basic feel of a Plank track, but not quite as grunge, maybe darker. The basic riff is carried off by the tones employed. The slow sustain at the bridge into the more delicate riff is nice. Very nice.

Space Disaster Surf (Instrumental)

Seattle's Manatees debut release shows a band easing into new territory. It's got a deserted ally feel, a bit of the brine, and a relentless progression punctuated by stinging whammy. The simplicity seems to work in it's favor. After a couple of leisurely verses, the theremin kicks in and the band kicks off. The sound is smoother than Planet Seven, but no less interesting with disparate tones and swirls.

Bachelor Pad Suave (Instrumental)

This is one fast chunky number, like a minor Surf Trio thing with edgie guitar and tenacious energy, plus some nasty double picking, along with some cool whammy dips. Yowsa!

Surf (Instrumental)

What a nifty track. The basis is a simple progression, but there's just enough noodling guitar licks and the like to keep it afloat. From their "Louder Than Dirt, Thicker Than Mud" CD.

Surf (Instrumental)

Dirty nasty inland tones, a blues riff, double picked parts, and a jam feel. It's quite heavy, and the drums thunder. More a riff than a song, but it certainly catches your ear. The big power amp sound lies subtly under a tasty riff with an airy feel. "Surf Till You Die!!!" shows a surfy side to Escape Velocity, and displays some nice guitar work.

Surf (Instrumental)

Hot Rod rev-up and burnout with a Slacktone launch with low grodie tones. Lot's of thunder, a melodic cowboy riff, and a whistling organ. It's a desert jam waiting for the next dirt bike Baja run. The "Wipe Out" references in the break are missed by no one. Compressed metallic guitar. This sort of thing usually doesn't get me, but this works.

Surf (Instrumental)

A rippin' surf and slam side from the SumpPump Monkeys. It's a grodie riffin' short board fantasy, quick out of the shoot, and pumped for power. The double picked work is very nice. It comes to a crashing end all too soon.