Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is a split CD - half from Counterpoint -half from Surfzone. Both bands are projects of Maurice Preece. For those of us in America, they have both been illusive at best, and perhaps that's part of the allure. There are also a couple of vocals, Surfzone's "Surf Surfari," "409," and "You Gotta Be Cool."

Picks: Surf Punk, Mr. Rebel, Ventura, The Ghost Of Margaret-Ann, Hell Surfer, Big Day At Waimea, Penetration, Badlands, Journey To The Stars, Squad Car, Surf Rider, Pipeline, Counter-Feet, Flash In Japan, Surf 'n' Sway, Heavy Surf, Storm Rider, South To Manzanillo, Rage Against The Wind, The Day The Surf Stood Still, Ginchy

Surf (Instrumental)

Traditional damped surf rhythm and boomy bass run under a fuzz lead that's playing a melody born of surf imagery and late sixties psych. The big chords remind me of Taste's "Born On The Wrong Side Of Time," but there ends the comparison. As the end approaches, the bass plays glissandoes under the fading chords. Solid and powerful, with an attractive edge.

Surf (Instrumental)

In many ways, this cover of Eddie and the Showmen's signature "Mr. Rebel" is pretty traditional, but it's also oddly unique via the bass boom. Perhaps not as magical as Eddie's big claim to fame, but very nicely done. Lots of requisite charm and surf rumble.

Surf (Instrumental)

The feel and rhythm domination of the Super Stocks' rhythmic "Ventura" is nicely replicated. Tasteful sax lines augment the track, giving it an almost vintage studio project sound.

Surf (Instrumental)

Thunder and rain set the stage for "The Ghost Of Margaret-Ann." The melody references Gilligan's Island just a bit, but is on the whole original and compelling. The sax break is very period and the rhythm guitar like something right out of a Richie Podolor session. Quite a cool track!

Surf (Instrumental)

A galloping rhythm sets up an open road scene, while the contrast between fuzz and reverb guitars creates an on-the-cusp-of-garage feel to the Ventures' "Hell Surfer." Period wise, it fits toward the end of surf as the bands were becoming garage bands in reaction to the British Invasion, but of course it's a thoroughly modern recording. Very nice. Incidentally, this was also cut by Counterpoint.

Surf (Instrumental)

Totally reverbed-out with their usual sound. Melodic and ringing and way surfy. The drums and rhythm panned hard left & right. While not the best production for the track, "Big Day At Waimea" is none the less quite a surf rage.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Penetration" uses a very pure approach to surf, with deep reverb rhythm guitar and utter dependence of the rhythm. An excellent cover of the Pyramids' hit with liquid reverb all over it. Yee-haw!

Surf (Instrumental)

Over reverbed track production and reliance on big hall sound to create the illusion of loud. The melody here is mostly a riff, with strong chord support. "Badlands" actually holds up pretty well over time. The glisandos are smooth and slithery, and the break very moody.

Surf (Instrumental)

A launch sequence runs under the tom tom intro to the Ventures' very cool "Journey To The Stars." Much wetter than the original, a little less aggressive, and very smooth. This is an interesting version of the song.

Surf (Instrumental)

Eddie and the Showmen's most covered instro "Squad Car" is all decked out in siren and drum echo, drenched in rhythm reverb, and perhaps reminiscent if the way the Surf Raiders' used to do it. This is a rock solid version with plenty of damped reverb to capture your well-tuned surf ear.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a fairly pedestrian performance from the 1993 Pipeline Convention. While it's not really remarkable for this too-often covered tune, it is much better than most UK visions of surf. Of course, it's based on the Ventures' original and not the liquid groove of the Lively Ones.

Surf (Instrumental)

This rendition of the Chantays' ultra cool "Pipeline" offers something new in the sound structure, particularly in the big whammy chords. The lead guitar sings while the rhythm alternates between relatively dry chords and single-note runs. Very nice!

Surf (Instrumental)

This highly rhythmic and infectious surf track is worth the price of the CD. It is a far cry above the rest of the tracks here, with some real surf sound and sensibility, and a melodic and spirited feel that begs for replays. I've upgraded my rating of this track from 4 star to 5 because after a very long time, it remains very infectious and attractivce. It has an interesting storm on the coast sadness into optimism in the new dawn sound. A very good track.

Oriental Euro (Instrumental)

"Flash In Japan" is a very pretty song based on Japanese melody ideas and a European guitar sound. The dual guitars really makes it attractive. Perhaps a little sad, but thoroughly enjoyable.

Rock (Instrumental)

A variation on the "Walk Don't Run" rhythm opens this very Ventures-like song. It's a very Spanish flavored song in a rock instro format. I think the rhythm guitars are too prominent in the mix, but otherwise it's a very enjoyable song.

Surf (Instrumental)

Based heavily on a mechanical chop, bridged but lush keys, "Heavy Surf" is not heavy at all, but rather is a little gimmicky - not in a bad way, but based around a nifty idea that's outside the mainstream.

Surf (Instrumental)

The thunder brings the rain and almost Jon and the Nightriders sound and structure. "Storm Rider" is very cool surf instro with California written all over it. This is a splendid very surf arrangement of Los Straitjackets's "Tailspin." Lot's of splash and panache, and very much in the tube!

Surf (Instrumental)

On the road to southern surf spots, with fiesta playfulness and Mexican senoritas in mind. "South To Manzanillo" is simply a happy adventure south of the border in search of surf and a good time.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Rage Against The Wind" is loaded with images of motion and sunlit tubes. Happy, adventurous, and very fun. Put down the top, head out to highway 1, and cruise just for the joy of the wind in your hair. This previously unreleased track is quite good - funny it didn't make it out before this.

Surf (Instrumental)

Lumbering dark and moody, "The Day The Surf Stood Still" calls to overcast skies and the dangerous calm before the storm. A very pretty song with an optimistic break between mournful verses. Emotionally powerful.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is an unreleased mono demo of Bert Weedon's "Ginchy." Just guitars and bass (OK, there's a little drum work way in the back). While unpolished, it shows an arrangement in the works, and is a nice way to close out the CD.