Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Illuminoids - The Illuminoids Ride Again
 | This is a very nice set of tracks from The Illuminoids. "The Shiloh Rider" in particular, is a stunning production with excellent writing and arranging, to say nothing of great performance on all instruments. |
Picks: Theme From 'The Rebel', If I Had Wings, Siege Of Ryazan, Ode To Chesapeake Bay, The Shiloh Rider
Track by Track Review
Country Surf (Instrumental)
The European guitar sound richly delivers a western melody in a scenic setting. Open range charm and cactus spunk.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
This is an easy moving track with country piano and a lush backtrack. More than easy listening with a nod to Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. Very pretty.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
One of The Illuminoids' more spunky numbers, "Siege Of Ryazan" rolls along at a fairly rapid pace with deep Euro-guitar in the lead. The melody is spacious and engaging, and the double picked rampage in the middle is very cool!
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Acoustic, easy flowing, tremolo charmed, and slightly sad. "Ode To Chesapeake Bay" is a lovely track with wide open ambiance and sound. The acoustic guitar transition parts are very cool. Well mixed and arranged. Very hard not to like!
Theme From 'The Rebel' (Reprise) Country Surf (Instrumental)
Horns enhance this reprise of the opening track for a different feeling altogether. It seems like a TV theme perhaps.
Country Surf (Instrumental)
Oh my! "The Shiloh Rider" is a stellar track. Military drums, beautiful ambiance, wonderful thematic visuals, and warm tone. This is a perfect blend of surf and western. The guitar work is superb, and the beat perfectly suited, and the subtle bass provides a splendid anchor in the dirt. I love this!