Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Galaxy Trio - In The Harem
 | Portland's fuzzy aggro guitar instro purveyors have popped for another CD. This one's got a couple of surf-fuzz tracks that are pretty darn cool, as well as their usual rockin' assault. It's monolithic writing is matched by the mono sound, which further limits the often one dimensional writing by masking the textural variations and eliminating the spatial breadth of the band's otherwise energized performance. |
Picks: Surficide, Horus, Lynch Mob, Für Elise, Surf N' Destroy, In Like Flint, Another Odd Job, Shoemaker Levy #9
Track by Track Review
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
"Surficide" is an aggressive and fairly melody power shot whammy accented number with a little too much sameness throughout to be great. Solid, but not exceptional.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
Slow and sinewy, with warm fuzz and whammy, and a slightly mysterious riff. The melody is middle eastern flavored, hinting of the harem and navel jewels. It's pretty melodic and one dimensional, but the occasional harmonics and tasty whammy keep it afloat.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
This is a nifty Mediterranean riff with some tasty changes in tone that keep it from being too repetitive. Suave and crunchy too.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
Slowly coming to the melody through subtle introductory notes, this version of the classical melody is nicely adapted to the fuzz surf format. Excellent drums and interesting changes, and enough drama to retain the operatic imagery.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
There is little difference between "Surf N' Destroy" and the Woodies' "Midnight Ride," which predates this by several years. The track is pumped with ample shouts of joy. Crispy northwest intense surf.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
High powered but not particularly interesting. Driven but repetitious.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
This slower track uses really nice guitar work to keep the simple riff afloat. Too repetitious to stand alone, but worth a spin if just for the tasty playing.
Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)
Chunky thumpy lowdown grind and damped chop riff rock, with guts but not enough melody to stay in RAM long.