Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Hang-Ten Hangmen - Wet Sounds
| New lo-fi mono surf from The Hang-Ten Hangmen. Great performances, exceptional writing and solid arranging throughout. Almost all of this album would be 4-5 stars if recorded better and in stereo. It's not easy to be a trio and arrange such that you don't notice the missing guitar, but these guys do it very well. Excellent surf music in shallow mono sound. You'll love the music. |
Picks: Volcano, Headhunters!, The Search For Osama Bin Laden, Dark Continent, Zombie Stomp, Jungle Sunrise, Attack Of The Trophy Wives, Zombie Sleepwalk, Shut 'Em Down In Zombie Town
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Starting slow, but amping into a faster number with some double picking and some whammy. Frantic drums and bass moodiness drive the beat. "Volcano" is a loud and powerful number with drama and excellent writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big tribal thunder with dark melody lines and double picked danger. "Headhunters!" is segmented by frat boy chants. This is very dark and features serious chunk.
The Search For Osama Bin Laden Surf (Vocal)
Leaning on "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" for feel and beat, "The Search For Osama Bin Laden" is an adventure in infectious beat and spooky choruses. It's a vocal, but it is an intriguing number with surf creds and clever writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
Sinewy tribal drums, long ringing chords, moody bass, and a splendid bit of arranging. "Dark Continent" is downright spooky, with tension and visual pleasure. A superb song!
Surf (Instrumental)
Tribal and after dark surf credible, with fine writing and arranging. Spunky and scary, with monster on the loose. Stereo crowd ambiance... but is it live?
Surf (Instrumental)
The crowd sounds continue as the band plays a very cool instro. A splendid melody line, solid arranging, great drums, and perfectly suited bass. "Jungle Sunrise" is haunting and tribal, with a great beat.
Attack Of The Trophy Wives Surf (Instrumental)
Employing much of the (Denver) Road Runners' "Road Runnah" with substantial transformation, "Attack Of The Trophy Wives" is an infectious and splendid instro. Power and a catchy riff played with spunk and whammy. Very nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
A simple riff and gourd, with strong drums and spunk. "Cactus Alley" is a tasteful instro, but it seems less developed than the rest of the tracks here.
Fuzz (Instrumental)
A dangerous gritty opening, fuzz lead, and cool drums. "Zombie Sleepwalk" is thick and fuzzy, with booming bass and very ugly tone - in a compelling way. Whammy and misery.
Shut 'Em Down In Zombie Town Surf (Instrumental)
Chunky and trashy, with a fun melody riff and raucous beat. "Shut 'Em Down In Zombie Town" is big and splashy, with dramatic chords and substantial fire.