Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Fin Dicators - 2005 Demos
 | These demos are certainly primitive, but they show the Fin Dicators to be a band with some good ideas. Their sound is relatively dry, and they play a little tentatively here, but their arranging and style-sound create a signature sound. |
Picks: Cheater Five, Correr Las Olas, Surfin' at Sunset, Tangled Leash, Baja, Senor Moto
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
With a relatively dry surf sound, the Fin Dicators play in a bit of a restrained fashion that reminds me of Campbell's Shark Bait. The melody is solid, and with some development and time in a real studio, this could become quite a cool surf instro.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Correr Las Olas" borrows liberally from several surf instros, beginning with "Moment Of Truth" (Original Surfaris) and "Penetration" (Pyramids). Because of this, it's not as interesting as it could be.
Surf (Instrumental)
Flowing and relaxed, with a summer evening feel, this track is simple and comfortable, like an old friend. "Surfin' at Sunset" features a pretty and familiar sounding melody line. Is this the Slackmates' tune?
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a cool instro with a good melody line and solid arrangement. Sometimes frantic, sometimes sad, it requires repeated listening. On the slightly dangerous side, "Tangled Leash" reminds me a bit of a couple of tracks written by Big Wednesday many years ago, though that is more a textural thing than a melodic similarity.
Surf (Instrumental)
It's always a pleasure hear Lee Hazelwood's "Baja!" This is a fairly minimal take, like a smoothed out reinvention of the Intruders cover. Very enjoyable.
Surf (Instrumental)
Paul Johnson's classic is done in a minimal way, with a murky edge and an eye on tradition. Not bad!