Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Mascara vs. Snorkel
 | Mexico's Los Santisimos Snorkels share this release with Big Mascara. While on the garage side, Mascara vs. Snorkel contains some very original music and is well worth seeking out. |
Picks: Big Mascara - Surfeando de Noche, Krakatoa's Reverb, Zombie Cara de Nino, No Contaban, Los Santisimos Snorkels - Aracnofobia, Mascara vs. Snorkel, Mar Iguana, Malacopa, Enterrada en la Arena, Drunk Surfer
Track by Track Review
Big Mascara - Surfeando de Noche Surf (Instrumental)
A speedy number with a cool bass line, dribbling up-glissandos, and dissonant imagery runs amok as the storm surge settles down a bit. "Surfeando de Noche" is on the thrashy side, but is also oddly compelling.
Big Mascara - Krakatoa's Reverb Surf (Instrumental)
The somewhat sad melody of "Krakatoa's Reverb," along with its wonderful bridge, are augmented by great bass and drums. This is rather well written, and is quite durable.
Big Mascara - Desde la Era Cuerda Surf (Instrumental)
"Desde la Era Cuerda" is a fast, almost frantic track, with a pumping bass line and punky drums. The main riff is interesting, and finds its way into different registers for textural variation.
Big Mascara - La Venganza de la Llorona Surf (Instrumental)
"La Venganza de la Llorona" employs a fast-ish surf dribble with rock drums and bass. While not particularly enduring, it is nonetheless interesting and fun.
Big Mascara - Zombie Cara de Nino Surf (Instrumental)
Big swimming whammy chords and moody bass, along with dramatic drums, paint a mournful and dangerous image of hazards on the next wave. "Zombie Cara de Nino" is deceptively simple and very effective.
Big Mascara - No Contaban Surf (Instrumental)
With a gentle urgency and spy-like riff, "No Contaban" is both unusual and engaging. It's just different enough to stand out. The chords in the bridges are quite engaging.
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Aracnofobia Surf (Instrumental)
A little whirring and a relentless beat with an original and scary bass progression are the framework within which slow glissandos, dangerous whammy chords, and a dungeonous progression reign. The imagery is chilling in the "I don't wanna be here" kind of way. Pretty cool!
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Mascara vs. Snorkel Surf (Instrumental)
Modestly fast riff surfin' with double picked flair and glissando charm. "Mascara vs. Snorkel" is spunky and flashy, with a catchy riff and moody, grumbly bass. Quite nice!
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Mar Iguana Surf (Instrumental)
The surfin' lizards are frantically dodging the kelp and the seals in this riff rocker with reverb. Some nice island chords and interesting progressions set it apart.
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Malacopa Surf (Instrumental)
Some very original drums action at times, along with a very cool bass line, support a splashy and upbeat guitar riff. "Malacopa" may not be the most cool surf instro ever, but it's uncommon sounding for sure.
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Enterrada en la Arena Surf (Instrumental)
Slow and easy drums and surf whammy chords introduce a very cool song. The melody is lovely, almost haunting in a post storm island sort of way, and the garage sound seems to add mystery. Very cool!
Los Santisimos Snorkels - Drunk Surfer Surf (Instrumental)
Bent stereo chords haunt "Drunk Surfer." The bass is really the lead instrument, with the guitar providing the surf ambiance. Quite unusual!