Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Denmark's' El Ray do some very nice arranging on this album. The production values are very good, and the music is in their own vein. Overall, it's an interesting blend of discotheque and rock built on a surf foundation, with a little espionage and spaghetti western here and there. |
Picks: Jack The Samurai (Defeats All Evil), Holly Day, The Bunker, Hypnotic, La Saboteur, The Agent vs. The Next Mexican, Enter Skolastik, Springtime, The Danger Of TV Radiation, The Manic Shoplifter, El Rey
Track by Track Review
Jack The Samurai (Defeats All Evil) 
Surf (Instrumental)
On the spy side of surf, with duel lead guitars and organ, "Jack The Samurai (Defeats All Evil)" is a thick and powerful song with a surf-discotheque sound. Big twang chords and pumping bass break.
Surf (Instrumental)
The two guitars work in tandem on this somewhat dark track. Thick and heavy, with big chords and deep reverb. The break is like the new rays of dawn, soft and picturesque, while the double picked half fades to bring on a monster rhythm of great danger. Quite cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Bunker" is melodic and fun, with a stinging variation on the surf sound. Heavy and light at the same time, with some very tasteful guitar work and great drums. Slightly moody.
Surf (Instrumental)
Rhythmic chunk and spooky European spy melody lines haunt this interesting instrumental. "Hypnotic" is an unusual and attractive song with a kind of crystalline feel, coupled with just a touch of spaghetti western.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big, dark and uneasy, "La Saboteur" is all about danger and power surge. The melody line provides an ample front for the dominant sense of motion. The near stop of the break is a bit strange, but seems to fit in hindsight.
The Agent vs. The Next Mexican Surf (Instrumental)
Spaghetti western structure and whistling a la Ennio Morricone, this slow and haunting song is very scenic and appealing in a relaxed sadness kind of way.
Surf (Instrumental)
From an angular start, "Enter Skolastik" becomes a very cool instro with an attractive melody line and rhythmic second guitar, along with tom tom action. It's a very pleasing song.
Surf (Instrumental)
Dry guitar chop, heavy thunder non-melodic guitar attack. It's big, it's assaultive, but not really memorable.
The Danger Of TV Radiation Surf (Instrumental)
Brash guitar chords, stereo echoed guitar lead spookiness, and an ominous backtrack... "The Danger Of TV Radiation" presents a dangerous sound in an uneasy arrangement that's quite befitting the title.
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Manic Shoplifter" is a nervous and untrustworthy soul, based on the introductory tonality of this track. The melody is more playful, and the tension between these parts creates a split persona for the song that suggests the title in some ways. Very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
"El Rey" is a thick rock ' n' roll instro with intense distortion and driven volume. Double picked danger, and big chord threatening. Pretty mean.