Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The long awaited followup from the powerful first release from Boston's Fathoms is finally here. Another 14 strong tracks, surfingly played, melodically written, and spiffily arranged. The Fathoms continue to produce very good surf based instros in their own unique style, with infectious sound and tongue-in-cheek humor. A wonderful CD.

Picks: Race Against Time, Fathomized, Overboard, Tracking Bigfoot, El Toro, Hippo Hump, The Hearse, Shark Waves, The Haunted Shore, Flaming Arrow, Cruisin' The Zone, Cahoon Hollow Hideaway, Turquoise Blue (and Primer Gray), Git My Goat

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a sad and dramatic tune, with ample spy overtones, and mucho whammy. It come to life when the break comes, and the damped plucking begins. A very nice touch.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the highly rhythmic successor to the "Fathomless" thrown. Very infectious, and very cool. Miles above the pack, magnetic, and sporting power surge glissandoes, as well as a growling Steve Douglas-like sax break. Wonderful track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Double picked, angry guitar sound, and wet ambiances. The melody is good, and the rhythm is catchy.

Surf (Instrumental)

The bumpkins are meandering the beach again, looking for the lost hay wagon. Fine barndance surf, reminiscent of a song I can't recall at the moment, perhaps from Cat Mother & the Allnight News Boys. A mighty tasty plate of vitals for an afternoon picnic at uncle Joe's.

Surf (Instrumental)

This fine track sports Spanish flair and chunky surf rhythms, and near-mariachi horns. Really nice track, funny, warm, and utterly spiffy. Not a trace of caca de toro, just lots of canteena afternoon bullfight anticipation, red roses, señoritas in black lace, and flashing eyes. Wonderful track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Funky, almost east LA stylings, with bits of Booker T. & the M.G.s, honky sax, and a smooth groove, maybe inspired by "Delano Soul Beat."

Surf (Instrumental)

Lee Hazelwood wrote this a billion years ago, and it's been done and redone due to it's enduring power and writing. Unlike other often covered tunes, this seems never to lose it's freshness. This is a very solid cover, with all the necessary damped reverbed chunk, and the subtle guitar lines. The sax adds a different flair, and the guitar tones are somewhere between the Al Casey super reverbed original and the Astronauts' super powerful "hit" version. Very nice track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Surf 'n' Spanish coolness, glissando power, and sax-guitar duets, together with nods to the Dickster and detective themes, make this a very interesting and listenable track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow tom toms, distant high note guitar effected with extreme end-of-the-hall acoustic echo sounds, and a low down vibrato lead, make this both a bachelor pad pace weirdness track, and a moody surfy and highly unusual piece.

Surf (Instrumental)

Leaning only slightly on the Crossfires' "Fiberglass Jungle" in the opening notes, this is a strong Euro spy melody with visions of Indian uprisings. It's good to hear Indian tunes that aren't stereotypical. Nice sax work.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow strip tease runway beat, Las Vegas gumshoe ethics, and fedoras pulled down over the eyes. Vibrato shimmer, depressing sax growl, and Henry Mancini film noir sensibilities.

Surf (Instrumental)

Chunky rhythms, a very playful melody, and great surf sounds. Highly infectious. This has the kind of feel that makes you wanna drive down 101 with the top down. Way cool track!

Surf (Instrumental)

Tequila meets Boss in a smoky canteena in Delano. Very cool growling sax, and Latino rhythms. Too fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Cocktail bounce, exotic drums, simple melody line, and swell damped reverbed rhythm guitar. Very cute idea, well executed and friendly.