Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is the second album from the Kilaueas. It displays a big step forward. Well developed songs with a very attractive sound, consistently performed in very strong arrangements. There's lots here for the surf fan, particularly is you're a sucker for the damped reverbed rhythm, like me. If you like the Bambi Molesters, Jim Messina and the Jesters, and the Surf Raiders, you'll like this CD.

Picks: Space Echoid, Bernard Of Hollywood, The Man From E.N.I.G.M.A., Stranded, Clark Nova Vs. Martinelli, Desert Glow, The Kilauea Stomp, El Hombre Invisible, Jungle Boo, Taiga Tiki, Blue Drag, The Jester, Catharsis, Catalina, Volcanova, Tunguska Blast!, Solitune

Surf (Instrumental)

Pulsing echoed sound pans rapidly back and forth as "Space Echoid" open. The melody has the kind of mood that "Third Star From The Left" emotes, but is perhaps more fluid. Darkness and unknown danger lurk in the outer reaches of space where the rides are had on plasma waves. It's a very cool track!

Surf (Instrumental)

What a great track. Infectious rhythms and a very well constructed melody, along with a perfect arrangement and superb playing. This is a song with a happy melody and great surf rhythms. While I was listening (and without knowing which track), I was reminded of Bernard Yin's (Brazil 2001, MiGs) writing. I don't know if it's in tribute to him, but it surf is an interesting coincidence.

Surf (Instrumental)

With the style and imagery of espionage in its heart, "The Man From E.N.I.G.M.A." flows and endangers with every curve. Spunky energy and a real sense of flow permeate the song to great effect. It's hard to listen without being swept up by its sense of motion. Perfect for a coastal drive at night.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Stranded" is a lovely slow song with the kind of imagery that the Surf Raiders' gorgeous "Long Boards At San Onofre" conjures. The shimmer of the tremolo and the haunting beauty of the melody are superb, and in muted reverb passages, well... it owns you. Great track!

Surf (Instrumental)

A heavy muted reverb surf rhythm churns under the song, creating a deep sense of an elevated pulse rate, and the melody is a nice compliment to it.

Surf (Instrumental)

Dark moody bass brings on muted reverb rhythm patterns that prance on the water. Overhead run two beautifully reverbed guitar just dripping notes like water falling from a forest canopy into a brook. This is one beautiful song, with lots of imagery and emotion, and lovely tone.

Surf (Instrumental)

A dark original Middle Eastern-ish melody dramatically runs atop the "Mar Gaya" (Fender IV) rhythm and beat. In the break, the drama is more operatic, but all throughout, the song is big and commanding. The long slow glissando and reverb crashes at the end are too cool

Surf (Instrumental)

The wind howls and the stranger approaches in dark silhouette from the direction Boot Hill. Beautiful shimmer and haunting melody, and long soft bass notes add to the ambiance. The chorus adds a sense of spaghetti western. Very moody.

Surf (Instrumental)

A tribal beat and muted rhythm are lockstep in sync with a somewhat Cossack melody line above at times. Splash and bounce and liquid energy abound.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Taiga Tiki" is a slow song with a midnight sound and liquid shimmer, augmented with a mental tango and chords that pour images of soft horizontal sways. Very pretty, and very romantic in a sultry lurid sorta way.

Surf (Instrumental)

Moderately paced rhythm and a bluesy melody play against each other is a Spanish cantina way. Interesting contrasts and stylistic comminglings.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a tuff cover of Jim Messina and the Jesters' aggressive "The Jester" with lots of reverb splash and panache. Less rough and more shiny, yet every bit as strong. Very cool cover!

Surf (Instrumental)

With a rhythm pattern reminiscent of the Bambi Molesters, the Kilaueas play a very cool song with a Mediterranean feel and surf ethic. Lovely flow and infectious rhythms, with stark beauty.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Catalina" is a sad number with a campsite dance imagery. A bit like a Jim Messina song in spots, though mostly more gypsy-ish.

Surf (Instrumental)

Intriguing rhythm and melody interaction and an infectious semi-military beat, coupled with lovely reverb tone, create a wonderful aural wash. Hinting at the sub-genre that the Bambi Molesters launched, "Volcanova" is a superbly rhythmic and infectious track that simply requires listening.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a fast track that structurally and arrangement wise could have come from Jim Messina, but didn't. "Tunguska Blast!" is superb, with great drums and splash everywhere. Lots of energy and power, and a chorus that gives it a spaghetti edge.

Surf (Instrumental)

The sea laps at the shore gently as this very soft and lovely song sadly flows across a sunset beach. It's lonely, yet very human and emotional. The sea goes on for a long time after the song comes to its quiet end.