Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Life On The Boardwalk: Swing, Surf and Rockabilly
 | My guess is that this is studio exploitation rock because none of these artists have any web presence at all, and many of the voices on the vocals sound the same, the guitars sound the same, the production values are too similar, and the tracks are generally without the chemistry that happens from live performing. The vocals all sound dated... the release is from 1999. I'd suggest not really bothering with this. |
Picks: Farquar Muckenfuss - The Veldt, Mission On Mars - It Came From Beyond The Stars, Moffett - Epson Salt, S. S. Bountyhunter - S. S. Credo, The Unloading, Warp Factor 9 - Farmer's Daughter
Track by Track Review
Surfabilly (Instrumental)
This is a trio rampage with flashy rockabilly-based guitar aping glissandos - sort of. "Toy Train" is very fun and energetic. It seems a little too busy, as overplayed trio arrangements can.
Surfabilly (Instrumental)
"The Veldt" has some fine moments, though it feels overplayed and loose at times. It sports a near-psychedelic break. Big drama and frantically interesting.
It Came From Beyond The Stars Surf (Instrumental)
Based in part on "Lullaby Of The Leaves," this song is catchy and infectious, with a serious nod to The Ventures. Tom toms roll, and the dry tone and whammy of the early V-Boys dominate. A classic Ventures rhythm pattern completes the homage. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Tasteful plinking piano and smooth, dry guitar play out a last promenade against an easy cycling backtrack. Very pleasant.
Surf (Instrumental)
The second guitar changes channels line to line in the opening, and the lead plays a modest melody line. The sax sounds rooted in ska. "Epson Salt" is unusual, but particularly compelling.
Surf (Instrumental)
Dark cruncher riff rock with tremolo and on-the-rocks surf punk imagery. Not melodic at all, but intense and storm surf dangerous. Disco wah wah guitar and writhing slow punk patterns, with menacing chords and tone. "S. S. Credo" is just plain dark!
Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy tremolo and reverb, dangerous waters, electro weirdness, and unrelenting patterns. "The Unloading" is entirely about the darkness of the tone and sustain.
Surfadelic (Instrumental)
Surf based with whammy chords and crude glissandos, plus some compelling psychedelics via wah wah and throb in the break. "Farmer's Daughter" is an interesting track, with considerable imagination.