Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Fez - World Domination On $3 A Day
 | Fez present a unique blend of instrumental styles, using surf, jazz, big band swing, and MOR to create a stunning array of interesting musical journeys. Each track is it's own capsule of sound. This CD took a couple of plays to worm its way into my psyche, but once there, I was hooked. The surf treatment of "Carmen" is worth the price of admission alone. |
Picks: Prehistoric Monkeyboy, World Domination On $3 A Day, Krewe Of Fez, Thunder Swing, Venus, Planet Of Love, Monkeyboy Stroll, Pipeline, Raiders Of the Lost Daiquiri, Beach Ball, You Keep Telling Me (You Belong To Me), Hurricane Georges Bizet, Caravan
Track by Track Review
Toy (Instrumental)
A scratchy plinky toy xylophonic introduction... pretty cool.
World Domination On $3 A Day Rhythm Surf (Instrumental)
The big whammy guitar assault of "World Domination On $3 A Day" is quite commanding. Chunky, rhythmic and throbbing, this is an infectious track. While it's not melodic, it sports such a cool rhythm and spectrum of guitar tones that it works really well. Excellent playing and thick chords.
Playful (Instrumental)
Jazzy and playful, "Krewe Of Fez" meanders through a range of styles and dynamics with a sense of humor not unlike the Reventlos. Very cool.
Swing (Instrumental)
With just a hint of ""Sing Sing Sing," "Thunder Swing" proves the guitars place in the genre. Very fun, and very well played.
MOR (Instrumental)
Liquid MOR beauty displayed through the romantic guitar and piano-like chords. Very smooth and floaty.
Beatnik Jazz (Instrumental)
Beatnik cool with finger snappin' percussion and a detective bass line... smooth and NY cool. Organ is added to the jazzy mix.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an eerie treatment of the Chantays' classic surf monster. The glissandoes are very long and throbbing. It's refreshing to hear a unique morphing of this tune. Fez present it with traditional respect, big drama, an intensity similar to the Neon Spores, and complete abandon. Absolutely great!
Raiders Of the Lost Daiquiri Surf (Instrumental)
The writing here reminds me a little of Pollo Del Mar. Off the beaten path, "Raiders Of the Lost Daiquiri" flows with a quirky riff and a feel of the coast. Quite a cool track.
Beach Ball (Instrumental)
Clapping rhythm, playful riffs, chants of "Beach Ball," and a more artful Routers feel. Quite fun.
You Keep Telling Me (You Belong To Me) MOR (Instrumental)
Beautiful and flowing, "You Keep Telling Me (You Belong To Me)" floats with the romantic feel of the great fifties compositions. very pretty and jazzy, like a merger between Jimmy Smith and Johnny Smith.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big power surf, thundering bass, flying double picked notes, and excellent twang. "Hurricane Georges Bizet" is based on "L' Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle" from Bizet's "Carmen." The arrangement is so natural, you'd think Bizet played a Fender. Halfway through, it breaks into a huge storm before drifting back into the great main theme. Utterly amazing!
Swingin' Surf (Instrumental)
Duke Ellington's "Caravan" oozes primal exotic rhythm and twang. It's both jazzy and rockin' and slightly surfabilly. Howling, smokin', and tribal.