Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Long overdue, this CD release from England's Dead Man's Curve presents a maturing non traditional sound, with well developed tracks rich in texture and subtlety. "Instro" opens the disc with an onstage kinda band intro like used to be very common in the early sixties... one instrument at a time comes in with credits... a nice touch. Likewise, "Outstro" credits the bandmates, who bow out one at a time.

Picks: Buckwheats,

, Brunello Di Montalcino, The West Before Whitemen, Art Blakey Take It Away, Trainsurfing, Tarifa Madness, SurfQuake 2000, Big Thursday, Have You Seen How Young The Cheerleaders Look?, Perranporth Pipeline

Spaghetti (Instrumental)

"Buckwheats" presents a smooth distortion with rolling percussion, and a fine melody riff. Overall, the track has a spaghetti western feel, though certainly not with trad sounds. There's a sense of drama and swimming pool whammy. Very nice track.

Eastern Block (Instrumental)

I have no idea what this title means... The track is thick and awash in watery flows, and a bit of an eastern block feel. The organ and guitar trade off leads to interesting effect. Slightly urgent, in a danger across town sorta way.

Spaghetti Surf (Instrumental)

This is a very cool Italian flavored piece, with reverb in marinara sauce. It creates a friendly soundscape with sonic images of semi military red checkered table cloth village scenes. A tad dramatic, and well suited for seaside pleasure.

Indian Surf (Instrumental)

Hmmm... an English soundscape of pre Colombian aboriginal folks... well, more like some of Davie Allan's Indian themes than the title might suggest, but definitely cool. The melody is solid and a little sad, and the Indianisms aren't overbearing or too trite, which is a good thing. Quite enjoyable.

Jazz Surf (Instrumental)

The third remaking of "Art Blakey" Dead Man's Curve finds a soothing place from which to merge the genres into a salve for the stressful day. This is very cool, big and fluid, with a sense of gentle meandering with powerdrive. It has arrived.

Suicide Sport Surf (Instrumental)

Moody and somewhat dramatic, "Trainsurfing" moves with a mix of menacing and moron thrills. Rhythmic and thick. Named (?) for the utterly stupid "sport" of hopping trains and riding on the roof, risking death and dismemberment at the crossing of wires and tunnel roofs as practiced in the slums of Rio by the junkies and lost children.

Scenic Surf (Instrumental)

"Tarifa Madness" is fluid and swirling with moody organ and tasty surf guitar. The melody is light, projecting a sense of motion and the middle east. This grew on me after a play or two, with it's multiple movements and epic scenery. Great for a drive in the old woodie.

Combo Surf (Instrumental)

"SurfQuake" is updated to a fuller more dramatic presentation, with a rolling sound and more energy. Round and robust, yet somewhat delicate, amped with shouts of joy.

Moody Surf (Instrumental)

Wow, this is a nice track. Pretty, slow, moody, with a slightly twisted "Lonely Sea" (Ventures) feel preceding an edgie oceanic psycho sludge patrol. The arrangement is well thought out, rife with changes and textural depth.

Cheerleader Surf (Instrumental)

The melody describes the adolescent bounce of high school cheerleaders well, with some powerdrive, some giddy fluff, and some sparkle.

Carnival Surf (Instrumental)

"Perranporth Pipeline" sports a sideshow of fun in the tubes of Great Britain, where the rides are swift and the water frigid. A shred of "Pipeline" lurks in the break, between calliope glissandoes. A pretty darn cool track.