Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Mike Beddoes has an identifiable writing style, displayed well on their earlier CD. It is also evident here, but the sound of the disc is decidedly thinner. The drums are ambiently recorded, and sound like they are in the next room. That seems to sap the energy out of the band's performance. maybe it's all ambient. Seems like the recording is without the chemistry or energy of the band. The material would probably stick with me longer if the session was cleaner. Otherwise, it's a good CD.

Picks: Desolation Sound, Eldorado, Silver Dollars (she wore), El Nino, Maeve, Betrayed, The Hitch, Hell's Gate, Sahara, Barracuda, The Moon Under Water, Queen Of Diamonds, Seattle, Rikki

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a semi western-Euro number, with a solid melody. It has a sad feel, and a spaghetti element as well. There's an almost oriental twinge to the cowboy ethics here and there. A nice track.

Spaghetti Cowboy Twang (Instrumental)

Cowboys and prospectors come to mind in this western vision of the open land before the fence. It has some Spanish bits, and a lot of almost piano-like guitar writing. Nice track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow sad Red Rock West sorta song, with a haunting melody and a distant ambiance. Very pretty.

Surf (Instrumental)

Yet another song named after the warm water current that brings storms. This is a cowboy's version of the downpour, I guess. Nice, but unremarkable.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and ploddy, western and semi-sad. A nice track, but mostly as a backdrop to a scene, and less a centerpiece. It is well written, just uninspired sounding. Cool, but not captivating.

Surf (Instrumental)

Nice paino-like guitar intro, and a chunky sorta arrangement, with a moderate melody over top.

Surf (Instrumental)

Left old Paint out at the hitchin' rail by the trough, where she got into trouble with the pinto next door. A Mexican village or Arizona highway stage stop comes to mind. This is a nicely written number.

Surf (Instrumental)

Major chunk for a western theme. Rhythmic, yet melodic. The melody isn't strong, but adequately offsets the rhythm to be more than a progression.

Surf (Instrumental)

Hinting only slightly of the Middle East and the desert, this seems more of a Southwest number. It's pretty, nicely laid out, but otherwise unremarkable.

Surf (Instrumental)

A faster chunkier more rhythmic track, with a happier melody line. Fun, and more infectious than most here.

Surf (Instrumental)

A slowish western number with a pleasant melody and delivery. Not very memorable as is, but probably better live, or well recorded. I like the guitar parts, but the "open mic" sound detracts from the pristine beauty that must underlay the session.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow drama, surfy chunk, country twang, and a moody Red Rock West atmosphere. This is among the more interesting tracks.

Surf (Instrumental)

A slower more lightweight track, with an MOR melody, and a forgettable sound. Sorry, guys, but this didn't do it for me at all.

Surf (Instrumental)

A cool track, artful, and different. This has a bit of shimmer, a tad of tasty harmonics, and a playful country lilt to it's melody.