Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Waves Of Reverb, Sea Of Fuzz
 | This is a nifty split with six tracks each from two fine bands with original sounds and solid writing. |
Picks: Mavericks, Another Summer Song, Costa de la Muerte, Arena Gris, Riding With Davie, Surfer's Paradise, Ahis Panau, Hellfire Whips, Stabs 'n' Hugs, Eyes Like The Deep Blue Sea, Nicole, Too Many Talk
Track by Track Review
(Instrumental)
Dark and verging on spooky, "Mavericks" is an instro with more reverb and lead guitar than band. It's a mix that creates an almost solo sound, though not entirely. The sadness and distant threat of the song is quite evident.
(Instrumental)
"Another Summer Song" is as softly warm as its title would lead you to expect. Anticipation of warm weather and beaches and all that entails is everywhere in this very enjoyable track.
(Instrumental)
"Costa De La Muerte" features an optimistic melody with a European flair, perhaps Spanish or Portuguese, with the warmth of the South American coast. Lovely!
(Instrumental)
"Arena Gris" is a very pretty song with a lovely melody, delicate surf guitar, and a very inviting sunset sound. Great chords, warm soothing sound, and a compelling emotional content.
(Instrumental)
This is a tuff and very Davie Allan-ish tribute to King Fuzz, with the right kind of melody and just enough fuzz. "Riding With Davie" is simply excellent!
(Instrumental)
In a similar mode to "Endless Summer," but cooler, "Surfers Paradise" paints a picture of a glorious vision of curl and sunset riders. The vibrato verse is cool enough, and the the whole song simply invites you to this secret spot.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Ahis Panau" is a moody slow moving piece with a dramatic Middle Eastern mystery and delicate reverb. Its atmospheric stereo spread creates a sense of great expanse. Part-way through, it amps up into a heavy reverb pool of hard driving revenge. Very cool!
Rock Surf (Instrumental)
This mid-tempo semi sludge stomp is all about edge and darkness. "Hellfire Whips" is fun, if that word applies to edgy moody grodie instros. Well done.
Rock Surf (Instrumental)
"Stabs n' Hugs" leaves something to be desired. It's got energy and drive, dark tone, and a pumping thump, but despite occasional structure similarities to "K-39," it doesn't really gel. The midsection, however, is pretty interesting.
Eyes Like The Deep Blue Sea Rock Surf (Instrumental)
Thick and intense, and not very melodic, in the way some fifties rock instros were. Dark, a bit dangerous, and moody with anger.
Surf (Instrumental)
There is a kind of mixture of big drama, serious danger, spacious ambiance, and double picked polka. "Nicole" seems engaging with fun. It's a cowboy romp with double picked guitar and rolling drums. Western underpinnings and surf reasoning, with a sense of open space crowding in. Very cool.
Too Many Talk Rock Surf (Instrumental)
"Too Many Talk" is a repetitious riff driven song with a lowbrow gutty sound. Though it's surely edgy and a little angry, without changes in octave or tone, it doesn't really keep your attention.