Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Kahunas - El Fantastico Sonido Surf and Hot-Rod de Los Kahunas
 | This first release from Argentina's Los Kahunas contains a splndid set of surf that's mostly on the gentler side, yet has spunk and crunch. Some fine tracks here! |
Picks: Mavericks, Another Summer Song, Surfin' Video, Costa De La Muerte, Hot Line, Arena Gris, Burnin' Rubber, My Sunshine Girl, Midnight Run, Riding With Davie, Desert Bound, Surfer's Paradise
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Dark and verging on spooky, "Mavericks" is an instro with more reverb and lead guitar than band. It's a mix that creates an almost solo sound, though not entirely. The sadness and distant threat of the song is quite evident.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Another Summer Song" is as softly warm as its title would lead you to expect. Anticipation of warm weather and beaches and all that entails is everywhere in this very enjoyable track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surfin' Video" is note-for-note the same as Max Wheatley's"The Cove" from his eighties band the Dialtones. This version is a splendid reverby rendering, not unlike Splashback's version.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Costa De La Muerte" features an optimistic melody with a European flair, perhaps Spanish or Portuguese, with the warmth of the South American coast. Lovely!
Surf (Instrumental)
This Ventures song is tuff and surfy and fuzzed out. Heavy thunder with grodie Harley riders on a coastal road in your vision. Very cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Arena Gris" is a very pretty song with a lovely melody, delicate surf guitar, and a very inviting sunset sound. Great chords, warm soothing sound, and a compelling emotional content.
Surf (Instrumental)
Jim Fuller's infectious "Burnin' Rubber" is very nicely done. With nearly the same atmospheric feeling, and a softer aural delivery, the song becomes a very cool thing to behold.
Surf (Instrumental)
"My Sunshine Girl" is the sort of bouncing holiday delight that Cosmonauti are so adept at writing, but it's also less trebly. So, with that in mind, you can picture an Italian Riviera scene as you enjoy it.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Super Stocks' rich "Midnight Run" is all decked out in gentle dark reverb and quiet drama. While the arrangement is not substantially original, the sound is different enough to make it fresh.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a tuff and very Davie Allan-ish tribute to King Fuzz, with the right kind of melody and just enough fuzz. "Riding With Davie" is simply excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
The Looney Tunes' liquid cool "Desert Bound" is very nicely done, with big reverb drama and just enough delicacy to make it a rich experience. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
In a similar mode to "Endless Summer," but cooler, "Surfers Paradise" paints a picture of a glorious vision of curl and sunset riders. The vibrato verse is cool enough, and the the whole song simply invites you to this secret spot.