Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Sweden has produced some mighty awesome garage bands over the decades since beat groups ruled the roost there in the 60's. Lars Kjellen tempted us mightily with the reverberating instrumental magic of "Valley Surf Stomp" and "Eegah" when he was with the Stomach Mouths (Got To Hurry Records). The Daytonas are his current band, and as you might guess from their name, they focus on surf & rod songs. This latest effort is half surf instro. The vocals are cool too, but you know where my heart lies. The overall sound is ambient and dull.

Picks: The Coffin, Check The Oil, Dare Devil, Surf Reveille, Mr. Eliminator, Surfer's Deal, Surf, Don't Swim, The Cossack, Voodoo Clutch

Surf (Instrumental)

"The Coffin" opens with wind and a distant clock striking twelve. The surf rhythm pops right in. The negative is the voicings, much the same as the Swamis used in "Moon Buggy." Musically, it's a pretty derivative middle eastern theme, but still is infectious and pretty cool. The sound is marginal, but the band delivers a fun surf track here.

Surf (Instrumental)

Hot rods take off, then in comes the instro. The melody is influenced by Roger Christian's "Midnight Run," but not derivative of it. It's a nice track, fun and fluid.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Dare Devil" is a dark song with evil fuzz low-E guitar and twangy surf second guitar. Together, they deliver a spooky sounding piece that demands your attention.

Surf (Instrumental)

A tinny trumpet heralds the wake up, then the band kicks in. "Surf Reveille" is a well developed surf riff number, with solid whammy. It doesn't use the reveille melody.

Surf (Instrumental)

A tribal rendering of Dick Dale's monster. The chords and keys are conflicting in a muddy mash of sound. Unremarkable.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Surfer's Deal" is a pretty solid surf tune, original and energetic. Good riffs, and arranging. You have to listen past the muddy ambient sound to get in there, but they are likely much better live than recorded this way.

Surf (Instrumental)

The title hints of a "Walk, Don't Run" cover, but alas it's an original. A solid surf blast, like the surf garage bands of old. The power is lost in the basement sound.