Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Part two of this series is much like volume one, but with more vocal content and less surf related material. There is some near surf. Much better than volume one, this has some enjoyable moments, some inklings that the surf sound had been heard behind the Iron Curtain. While there are some interesting tracks, for the most part it demonstrates why these artists' material weren't smuggled out. It's all from vinyl.

Picks: Torpedo, Perfido, Scary Night, Winnetou, So Much Love, I Am Comin' Home Baby, The West Wind, Spanish Gypsy Dance, Steps In The Sand, Puzsta Beat, Party Time, Play With The Maiden, Hackepeter

Rock (Instrumental)

Russia's Swingin' Guitars play a chunky rhythmic bit of chop that is much more a progression than a song. There's a lead guitar buried in the mix playing what is mostly a noodle. It's pretty infectious due to the dominant damped rhythm guitar chop, but otherwise is merely obscure.

Rock (Instrumental)

Is this a cover of the Shadows' "Savage"? In any event, it's a slightly fast track with a strong Euro melody and a better mix than its A-side. The male chorus is a bit much, but otherwise, it's pretty cool.

Space Rock (Instrumental)

East Germany's Satelliten deliver a solid number in the mold of "Telstar," but with guts derived from an intense vibrato guitar. In some ways, it's the sort of thing that the Ultras might have done, not far from their arrangement of "Telstar." There's a sax break, and a nasty edge to the guitar tone. Very cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

From Czechoslovakia came this band. Their sound was s cross between real reverb surf and traditional European instro. The melody is fluid, and the guitar tone switched back and forth between a splashy surf reverb and a delayed Euro tone. Nifty.

Near Surf (Instrumental)

Another east German band delivers a pretty poppy guitar instro. It's very short, but sports slight surfy underpinnings.

Near Surf (Instrumental)

The Mefistos were from the Czechoslovakia. Their sound is sax based and sultry, with surf whammy guitar as the second instrument. This track has the sort of moody waterfront edge that the Viscounts pioneered, just not as sultry. The organ break is sorta mal music store.

Rock (Instrumental)

Polish instro makers the Taifuns cut a playful rug with this Euro sounding number. It opens with a cold wind from the west. The guitar is semi surfy, but not quite there. The rockabilly skiffle beat behind the overbearing bass adds a rockin' thunder, while the vibrato brings out more edge.

Cossack Near Surf (Instrumental)

East German band the "Spanish Gypsy Dance" play this Cossack ballad with shine and joy. It's pretty spiffy. The rhythm is infectious and the melody wonderfully warm. Invoking images of village dances, this plays on the senses like the shadows cast from an open fire.

Big Band Lounge (Instrumental)

Czechoslovakian Karel Duba rocks with some late forties big band sense and some early fifties Bill Haley rockisms. It has no particular character that sets it apart. The quirky guitar stingers are cool, and it has a sort of pre-lounge feel. Something here won't let go.

Klezmer Surf (Instrumental)

A strange almost Klezmer feel to this track makes nice with your sense of humor while baffling your judgment. Quite fun.

Mall Combo Lounge (Instrumental)

Totally weird, from the cutesy electronics to the over delayed guitar. This has all the charm and wit of the high school band. Only the interspersed guitar separates it from the go-go junk pile.

Almost Surf (Instrumental)

Rumanian band Sincron play a grodie damped low-E guitar number that straddles the Euro-American fence in style. It's more than just friendly. It approaches surf in some ways, mostly where the guitar becomes damped, though echo is the effect used. It's a nice little track.

Memphis Combo (Instrumental)

East Germany's T. Schumann Combo cur this cover of Booker T. and the MG's "Hip Hug Her." It's a little grodier, a little thicker, and a lot more mall.