Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Secret Agent S.O.U.N.D.S.
 | This is a concept compilation. That means that there is some cheesy secret agent jazz, but also a few surfy nuggets buried within. All in all, a good CD. |
Picks: Mission Impossible, S.P.E.C.T.O.R., James Bond Theme / You Only Live Twice, Traitor Vic, Operacion '69, A Shot In The Dark, Goldfinger, The Liquidator, G-Man, Mr. Midnight, Double-0 Seafoam, Smart Bomb, Peter Gunn's Hideaway
Track by Track Review
Euro (Instrumental)
The "Mission Impossible" theme is organic chunka chunka espionage themeage, high energy and fun.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Our own local heroes Shig and Buzz provided a great Peter Miller (Buzz) original titled "S.P.E.C.T.O.R." that is right in there with their usual extreme quality and gorgeous sound from Peter Miller Recording in San Francisco. Great guitar sounds, and incredible recording in a beautiful British style.
James Bond Theme / You Only Live Twice Surf Spy Sludge (Instrumental)
Deadbolt produce a grodie "James Bond Theme" / "You Only Live Twice." I just would like them to mix their stuff a little better... The bass is always too far out front. Their arrangement is very surfy with low down ominosity.
Surf Spy Lounge (Instrumental)
The Tiki Tones' hybrid lounge / surf clean sound lends itself to "Traitor Vic." It's a nice balance between organ and guitar, and is very cool!
Operacion '69 Fuzzy Spy (Instrumental)
Forbidden Dimension seem to wanna be the Smithereens, but have neither the edge nor the sense of melody on "Operacion 69." It's fuzzy, but not particularly memorable.
A Shot In The Dark Organ Spy (Instrumental)
Combustible Edison schlepped up a chintzy organ movie soundtrack throwaway cover of "A Shot In The Dark."
Espionage Garage (Instrumental)
Man Or Astro-MAN? deliver their usual poundy high energy sound on "Goldfinger."
Surf Spy (Instrumental)
Seks Bomba have been on the edges of the scene for quite a while... "The Liquidator" shows them to be witty, rhythmic, and capable of delivering a filmy guitar vs. Hammond reward worth more than a few listens.
Surf (Instrumental)
Gee man, this is a fine mid tempo spy ish track, with round twangy guitar over a slow paced bed. Eerie guitar tones and dangerous liaisons. Ringing notes, reverb, and rich textures. The melody is just dangerous enough to convey the title's message. The big chord drama in the middle is very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Mr. Midnight In Lunar Limbo" is vibrato heavy, moody, and shimmery.
Surf Spy (Instrumental)
This has to be a graduation piece for my favorite three surf bunnies the Neptunas. Their "Double-0 Seafoam" is very well played and nicely recorded. I think it retains their wonderful innocence, and also brings them up a solid step from lo-fi.
Surf Spy (Instrumental)
Huevos Rancheros do a rockin' wonder called "Smart Bomb" in their usual way.
Surf Spy (Instrumental)
The Hillbilly Soul Surfers deliver a great humorous merger called "Peter Gunn's Hideaway."