Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The El Caminos - Reverb Explosion!
 | A compilation of the work so far from Japan's second great surf band (the Surf Coasters are first). This is a great collection, well worth your shekels! Punchy sound, spirited performances, unusual arrangements, and just plain fun! |
Picks: Exotic, Sumo Wrestler, Big Surf, Hornet's Nest, Pachuko Soul, Exodus, Reverb Explosion [Part I], The Wedge, Rolling Sushi, Shock Wave '95, T. J. Slough, Death Race, Quite A Surf Party, Gerugugu, How! (unreleased bonus track)
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
The Bob Vaught arrangement with the drums way-way back in the mix. The huge guitar sound overcomes this. Very edgy.
Surf (Instrumental)
A jerky stomp number with an OK melody. Big sound and Dick Dale flourishes.
Surf (Instrumental)
A major power version of the Sentinals' killer tune. Even bigger and more ominous than the original.
Surf (Instrumental)
Originally titled Ho-Nest on the Sexcite release, this track features a big Dick Dale / Surf Coasters style melody and a big delivery. The keys detract from the cohesion.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Soul Kings and The Rhythm Kings used to do this. It is as close as you get to the definitive song of the Latin band dance craze the Soul that the surfers picked up on so heavily in sixty-three. The keys play the lead in lieu of the horn section it was written for.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Lively Ones arrangement of the movie theme, with more energy and less sting. The rhythm is heavier too.
Reverb Explosion [Part I] Surf (Instrumental)
Sort of a "Mr. Eliminator"-like song with with silly screaming girls and an "ah-ah" chorus courtesy the Chevrolettes. Really mean crunchy low-E surf riffs. It's a little like Jackie & the Cedrics recorded better.
Surf (Instrumental)
A light weight cover of the Dick Dale classic. Too much rhythm guitar presence.
Surf (Instrumental)
A pretty cool surf number with the trite-n-true Japanese caricature chord intro. Repetitious, but fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very cool vibratoed reverb crashes add a new dimension to this obscuro cover. Very nice reverent track.
T. J. Slough Surf (Instrumental)
Really stupid Chipmunks vocal La La's throughout render it almost useless. Too bad, because it would be really cool without them.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very cool rhythmic number with the lead way too low in the mix, killing the effectiveness of the track.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Fireballs classic track written by George Tomsco, with a lot less delicacy, and a lot more energy. Quite nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
A super minimal melody line, but it reeks of Eddie & the Showmen influence. Tasty.
How! (unreleased bonus track) Surf (Instrumental)
Indian toms and guitar riffs and a ton of reverb. Cheesy keys are ok, but think how cool it would have been with piano instead. Nice track.