Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: The Splashdowns - The Space Act / The Typhoons - 10 Raunchy Instrumentals
 | This is a very odd pairing of two dissimilar bands. The Splashdowns are more or less a lo-fi frat band in the general neighborhood of the old Pacific Northwest sound, who's songs are badly recorded and mostly riff and jam based. The Typhoons are a very cool surfband with strong writing and playing, and with songs that are well recorded with complimentary mixes. This disc is worth the price of admission just for the Typhoons! |
Picks: Countdown, Happy Lift Off, Gravity Problem, Swing-By Technique, Electronic Mannequin, LOR or EOR, Luna Rover Test Ride, Ranger I, Apollo 8, Slingshot Maneuver, Ham 'n' Apple, A To Z Competition, Mambo On Mt. Hadley, The Grand Tour, Selentist's BBQ, Jungles On Venus?, Rendezvous, 1973 - Things To Come, Tucson County Jail, Barracuda, A Lido De Mi Cabana, South Of Heaven, 20,000 Meilen Unter Dem Meer, Allez Les Sunlight, El Carron, Roswita, Area 51, Snapping Turtle
Track by Track Review
Countdown Frat Rock (Instrumental)
Opening with a countdown sequence, "Countdown" launches into a simple frat rock progression that gets old really fast. In some ways, the choppiness is interesting, but mostly it's just too unchanging.
Frat Rock (Instrumental)
With what sounds like Gibson distortion, "Happy Lift Off" sports a happy go lucky melody line that's almost surfable, but there's nothing surf about the tone or the structure.
Gravity Problem Frat Rock (Instrumental)
Just jammin' rhythm track in the frat rock / "Batman" sense, with nothing at all to keep it afloat. No melody, and non-discrete sound.
Swing-By Technique Frat Rock (Instrumental)
"Swing-By Technique" seems to me to be derivative of of the Northwest inversion of R&B, but with a sense of deliberate repro instead of in-the-groove genre riding.
Electronic Mannequin Frat Rock (Instrumental)
This is a slow moving groove that seems like it wants to be funny or cute, but doesn't quite cut it. Like a standup comedian with no alcohol or audience, it's devoid of chemistry. The main riff is kinda cool, but it never evolves beyond repetitious and big guitar hollow body jammin'
Surf (Instrumental)
"LOR or EOR" is a fast-ish thrasher with a surfable riff and energy, and significant coolness. The lo-fi murk is not too bad here, and the energy certainly displays chemistry and drive. The hollow body sound, and the "Comin' Home Baby" bridge keep it from rising to greatness, yet it's pretty fun.
Luna Rover Test Ride Frat Rock (Instrumental)
"Luna Rover Test Ride" is really "Night Train" with a frat rock rawness. Nothing special, but with significant energy and moron chants.
Blues (Instrumental)
This is a slow and moody blueser with a strangely attractive arrangements. Even the ambient sound seems to fit the track well enough. That's until the Link Wray thrash comes in and trashes the whole mood.
Surf (Instrumental)
The eerie feedback and space grumblings of the introduction give rise to the darkness of space. The song itself is more of a surf pummel lost in the back room of a frat house. Potential yes, delivery no.
Slingshot Maneuver Frat Rock (Instrumental)
Fast pumpin' frat rock with a ton of energy and precious little focus. Luckily, it goes by fast.
Ham 'n' Apple Frat Rock (Instrumental)
"Ham 'n' Apple" is a slow number that reminds me a little of some of the Seattle-Tacoma area bands of 40 years ago. More a jam than a song.
A To Z Competition Frat Rock (Instrumental)
The grumble of the bass is annoyingly grating up front in this riff rock number. It always seems to be getting ready to become a song, but never quite makes it.
Island Mambo (Instrumental)
Echoes ambiance and passionately suave island guitar lines play a holiday track with a primitive attraction. A little Spanish, a bit of the tropics, and a warm and friendly melody line. Quite a nice song, despite the marginal sound. It reminds me a little of a slowed and sultry "Tijuana Taxi" (Pretenders).
Surf (Instrumental)
Great drums power under shallow whammy guitar. melodic and surfable, "The Grand Tour" is a cool song with a solid arrangement. A little sad, and on the coastal side.
Selentist's BBQ Blues (Instrumental)
This slow blues jams with an undulating after hours coolness. Pleasant and enjoyable, but murky sounding.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a cool track with a damped slightly reverbed rhythm pattern and fine surf whammy. Its sense of humor and tropical adventure are fun. The absurdity of the jungle calls that erupt are intrusive, obscuring the coolness of the track. Oh for a good recording of this!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Rendezvous" is a slightly faster instro with a warm coastal drive feel and catchy riff. It's a fine piece of music, well played, and enjoyable. The samples are intrusive and the sound a bit murky, but it still attracts.
1973 - Things To Come Wah Wah Funk (Instrumental)
Like most of the funky instros, "1973 - Things To Come" is much more about the rhythm wah wah and the progression than it is a song. No melody, but a funky track with jammy structure.
Surf (Instrumental)
With a nod to "Hava Nagila," this track rocks hard with authentic surf sound and fury. The delicately damped verse provides a fine counterpoint to the power verses. Great grumbly low-E surf with liquid glissandoes!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a fast track with a playful riff plucked in damped reverbed style. "Barracuda" is unique and fun, with precision drums against fine guitar work. Solid bass and rhythm guitar fills out the song.
Surf (Instrumental)
"A Lido De Mi Cabana" is a delicately tropical song with mystery and a fine melody line. Liquid chords and picturesque sound permeate the song, making it quite attractive.
Surf (Instrumental)
"South Of Heaven" is a beautiful song with a haunting damped melody line. It's curiously attractive melody creates a sense of almost carefree adventure, yet there's a bit of danger just off the horizon.
20,000 Meilen Unter Dem Meer Surf (Instrumental)
Spooky sonar pings bring forth a moody surf song with a lush sound. "20,000 Meilen Unter Dem Meer" (is that like 20,000 leagues under the sea?) sports great tribal drums and island whammy. A beautiful and mysterious track.
Surf (Instrumental)
A little whammified drama opens this fast song. "Allez Les Sunlight" is more riffy than melodic, but works well. There's danger and adventure here.
Surf (Instrumental)
"El Carron" is a powerful surf ripper with great drums and spaghetti western chants. Dramatic and well structured, it's a richly textured surf experience. Great glissandoes!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a much more pedestrian track than the rest of their songs, at least until the break. Fun and entertaining.
Surf (Instrumental)
Great damped reverb mystery, with whistling organ strangitude and throbbing danger. On the riff side, but powerfully spooky in a dangerous way.
Surf (Instrumental)
Liquid coolness in a sultry setting with an exotic bass line and delicate sound. "Snapping Turtle" has a bit of island lagoon, a touch of Spanish moodiness, and a pretty sound. Very nice!