Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Impala - Teenage Tupelo
 | Impala's attempt at a soundtrack, or perhaps the realization that melodies are not often required to accompany scenes. There are a few complete songs here, but mostly these are just progressions that never develop into whole songs, and as such don't hold attention for long. |
Picks: Teenage Tupelo Theme, D'Lana Walks At Night, Gravelo, Scarlet, Fargo (Wanda's Theme), Tomb Of The Tupelo Twin, Thee Madd Madd Manhaters, Johnnie's Drive-In, Cat Fight, Blue Belle, Manhaters Walk, Rumble Suite, Fairgrounds Fire, Woman In Chains, Tom's Automotive, Pinstripe (Captain Crypt's Theme), Blue Light Of Capricorn, Dudie's Diner, Uber Femme!
Track by Track Review
Teenage Tupelo Theme Rock (Instrumental)
A never changing progression and warbly sax relentlessly march on down the back street. Not at all melodic, but interesting in a sultry backdrop kinda way.
Rock (Instrumental)
A shimmery vibrato guitar and distant sad sax slowly walk above a moody bass like a slowed and less nasty "Harlem Nocturne" kind of idea, but without an such impeccable melody.
Rock (Instrumental)
An engaging rhythm, stereo delayed vibrato guitar. It's too bad that "Gravelo" never evolves a melody, because it's a very interesting backdrop upon which to build.
Scarlet Rock (Instrumental)
"Scarlet" softly and sadly circles with an effective moodiness, but unfortunately doesn't evolve beyond a repetitious riff. It's quite likable, but just not enough of a song.
Fargo (Wanda's Theme) Rock (Instrumental)
With a semi-military cadence and edgy riffs, "Fargo (Wanda's Theme)" sounds like an intro to a song, but isn't. Just a bit of a hook.
Rock (Instrumental)
Saucy sax rising, echoed finger pops, moody guitar shimmering in delivery of a very cool riff. "Tomb Of The Tupelo Twin" is slow and very depressed, yet has a sense of slight hope. More of a song than most here, it is engaging and quite cool.
Thee Madd Madd Manhaters Rock (Instrumental)
Owing too much to "Breakin' Rocks on the Chain Gang," this is a fifties-ish smoky beat club oozer. Sax driven and cheesy, "Thee Madd Madd Manhaters" is kinda cool, but at the end of the day, it's not memorable at all.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is a pretty and lightweight instro with a kind of "Wichita Lineman" quality. Steel guitar, great piano, and a perfect country sadness. Quite a nice track!
Cat Fight Rock (Instrumental)
A pumpin' bass line and plinking piano, amped by a stinging guitar. It's intensity befits the title, but there's little melody wise, just scene setting repetition.
Blue Belle Rock (Instrumental)
Saucy sax lines and a runway rhythm. More or less faceless as a song, but very effective to set the scene.
Manhaters Walk Rock (Instrumental)
Just echoed sax lines slowly setting a moody scene. No song, little structure.
Rock (Instrumental)
Soft piano opens to a slow moody bass line and piano. Bluesy sad guitar calls to the night. "Rumble Suite" is a tasteful blues number that haunts after-hours places like a faded dream.
Fairgrounds Fire Rock (Instrumental)
Cow-pokin' rhythm and twang. The catchy progression never develops into a song, but still has some value. It sure seems like an incomplete backtrack.
Rock (Instrumental)
Spy bongos and rhythms, and a surf guitar laying an espionage melody. It's pretty minimal, but also complete. "Woman In Chains" took a couple of plays to grow on me, but it ended up appreciated and very cool.
Tom's Automotive Rock (Instrumental)
Basic pumpin' rock 'n' roll backtrack a la Leon Russell with steel guitar over the top. Cowboys and Stetsons waitin' in line to ride the mechanical bull. Fun.
Pinstripe (Captain Crypt's Theme) Rock (Instrumental)
Just moody sax lines, drums on minimal, and bass occasionally nudged. Pure scene stuff.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Blue Light Of Capricorn" is a very cool song with a bit of surf and a sax haunting the night. The original structure and shimmer of the guitars are well suited for the melody line. Exotic, almost sultry, with a quiet magnetism. Cool track.
Rock (Instrumental)
Haunted guitar grunts over moody bass. A nifty little beat and kinda jazz-rock feel evolves. "Dudie's Diner" is hard to buttonhole, but reminds me just a little of Tito and Tarantula without the richness.
Uber Femme! Rock (Instrumental)
A thumpin' beat, sassy sax, vibrato chords, and a relentless non-directional non-developmental rhythm. Unchanging for the duration, it's an idea waiting for a song.