Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | This non-surf release sports a couple of pretty cool instros that borrow from Jet Harris, some country coolness, and some slushy MOR, plus one vocal. Artistic and technically challenging, but not always engaging. |
Picks: The Flying Scotsman, Cagey Bee, Dreaming Of You, Barracuda, Manhattan Smoothie, Lobster Love, Emily, Nervous Breakdown, Theme For A Solitary Man, The Last Whalesong, Zig-Zag
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a spunky and circular guitar fest with a whirling organ and great percussion. "The Flying Scotsman" is fast and almost nerve wracking. Intense and fun.
Rock (Instrumental)
The introduction to "Cagey Bee" is dramatic and dangerous, slow and angular. Whammy chords yield to a rich vibrato melody line that's slightly spaghetti western. Moody and excellent.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Dreaming Of You" is soft and sophisticated like a soundtrack incidental piece for a rainy day scene. Long guitar notes tell of the winter of sadness and the coming spring.
Rock (Instrumental)
Long haunted guitar notes yield to a bass lead a la Jet Harris' amazing Fender VI six-string bass leads in British classics like "Diamonds" and "Scarlet O'Hara." This is slower and more sinewy, with a less mean sound. Mighty nice.
MOR (Instrumental)
The title says it all. Soft slushy environmental sounds from a v-shaped glass. With or without a tooth-picked cherry, "Manhattan Smoothie" is just a nod away from exotic. The lead is carried by acoustic guitar. Pleasant for an afternoon snooze.
Country (Instrumental)
A moonshine beat and banjo groove all set for a hoedown. Fun and spunky in a barn dance vein.
Acoustic Guitar (Instrumental)
An acoustic journey through a an uninvolved afternoon. Pretty and soothing.
Country (Instrumental)
Fast and semi-gruff, "Nervous Breakdown" races through a cowboy's adventure. Seems to me to be Chet Atkins inspired. Fun.
Rock (Instrumental)
Cool romping percussion and soft bell-like keys give rise to a sad bass lead number that's moody and gentle.
The Last Whalesong 
Rock (Instrumental)
Long haunting whale-cry guitar lines lament a moody and sad journey. Pretty, but not engaging.
Zig-Zag Rock (Instrumental)
Fast and angular, "Zig-Zag" does its best to meander through a gauntlet of notes and chunk. Much more technically challenging than musically interesting.