Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Hi-Frequencies - S/T
 | Just when you think lo-fi is dead, it comes around again. This mono release sounds like a Billy Childish kinda thing, but nowhere near as badly recorded. Most of the tracks are very low energy and way too riffy. The drums seem the best part of the while thing. The nine instros are augmented with six garage vocals of an entirely amateur type. |
Picks: Clairton Beat, Eldorado, Shaky, Jerome Green, Stranded, Riviera, Hodad's Revenge, Corvette Hollow, Yellow Jacket
Track by Track Review
Clairton Beat Riff Rock (Instrumental)
This is a riff rock instro based on the main riff from Billy Boy Arnold's "I Wish You Would." It never develops a melody and does not hold attention for long.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
"Eldorado" is a solid track, with a tasteful melody riff. Despite the thin dry guitar tone, this is a decent instro with a fun riff and a sense of chemistry. Basic and a little repetitious, yet warm and memorable.
Surfabilly (Instrumental)
This is a bouncy instro with energy and fun. Great drums and a splashy riff over a fifties rock 'n' roll rhythm section. Quite cool.
Bo Diddley (Instrumental)
Sporting the Bo Diddley beat and named for his maracas player, "Jerome Green" bounces and rocks and swirls with vibrato and pre-surf instrumental throb. Simple and derivative, but well crafted and very cool.
Stranded Rock (Instrumental)
Chord progressions derived from "Stranded In The Jungle" are not enough to complete this instro. Very underdeveloped, yet sorta fun.
Near Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pretty nice track. "Riviera" uses a somewhat middle eastern melody riff over a moody bass line. Perhaps the most developed of the instros here, it is marred only by being mono and a little ambient sounding, and by the low energy level.
Hodad's Revenge Riff Rock (Instrumental)
Hodad is correct. This is landlocked riff rock. Chord progressions and fine drums, but no melody.
Corvette Hollow Rock (Instrumental)
Borrowed liberally from Link Wray, but sporting none of his energy or menacing intensity, this is a weak and pedestrian instro.
Yellow Jacket Rock (Instrumental)
Uncredited, this cover of "Yellow Jacket" sounds like a rehearsal tape with low quality drum sound. Riff rock.