Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Boy howdy! This second release from the Mach IV is wonderful! 16 marvelous tracks, many with rich three-guitar arrangements, and all with well crafted melodies, delivered by the cream of the Nor-Cal surf scene. The packaging is superb - a well executed take off on the eleki albums of the sixties. This is a must-have CD. |
Picks: Astro Boy, Il Eko Eleki, Beach Bound, Fogcutter, Whangaroa, Ten Gallon Allen, Two Angels, Lemon Twist, As August Ends, Belle Of The Ball, New York, Starlight Stroll, What's In The Trunk, Harry?, Teke, Teke, Teke, New Wave, No Surf Today
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is like a variation on the "Penetration" riff that lies just beneath this melodic surf melody. Pure surf enjoyment, with great reverb, liquid glissandoes, great drums and solid bass. "Astro Boy" is one fine surf instro!
Surf (Instrumental)
A touch of the Atlantics and the eleki genre blended into an infectious song. Echoed lead guitar plays the haunting melody line. "Il Eko Eleki" is a mighty fine instro with great drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Beach Bound" is a very infectious song, with a catchy upbeat energy and carefree attitude. Totally fun, this song is hard to not like. This is about as happy as surf gets, like "Rik-A-Tik" with more flair!
Surf (Instrumental)
From the ominous opening, "Fogcutter" moves to a semi-middle eastern riff that's warm and inviting. Heavy duty glissandoes and surf chunk abound. Melodic and smooth, punctuated with glissandoes, supported with deep bass, and driven by great drums. Very cool!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Whangaroa" has a moving melody that's both picturesque and enjoyable, with an air of eastern Europe and the islands. There's a definite sense of the Mediterranean here, as well as the ease of vacation days in the sun.
Surf (Instrumental)
A cowboy at the luau, with hula girls and sunsets almost in view of the cactus eaters. The fun cowboy beat brings Americana to Hawaii for a holiday in the sun. "Ten Gallon Allen" is one fun track!
Surf (Instrumental)
The slow silky drama of "Two Angels" is placed well against a fine three guitar arrangement. This is a romantic, slightly sad song with lots of emotional hooks. Pretty, with a touch of spaghetti western about it.
Surf (Instrumental)
Totally upbeat and infectious, "Lemon Twist" pumps out one infectious verse after another. More than just fun, it rocks with a grin and rolls with the waves. It has a classic feel, and yet is thoroughly modern.
Surf (Instrumental)
Summer comes to a halt, with a bit of sadness as the beach is left behind as the school year to begins. "As August Ends" seems ripe for the end credits of one of those coming of age flicks where the summer gives way to the freshman year at some upper crust college.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Belle Of The Ball" is a playful song with a summer carnival organ in support, as is a damped reverb rhythm guitar. The melody line is optimistic and scenic. Great drums and just-right pumping bass. Very amusement park innocent and beach fun!
Surf (Instrumental)
Shigemi Komiyama brought "New York" from his days with Shig and Buzz. The somewhat Euro style melody flows beautifully. Semi-fast back track, with a slightly sad, yet optimistic melody. This is a very pretty song that stays with you.
Surf (Instrumental)
With a nod to the Shadows, this track has a decidedly English feel to it. Vibrato, shimmer, and drama in the bridges. An excellent track.
What's In The Trunk, Harry? 
Surf (Instrumental)
Great reverbed rhythm guitar on the right, dry chords on the left, grumbly bass beneath, drums behind, and a very surfable melody line out front, charged with great whammy and vibrato chords. This is a fine track!
Surf (Instrumental)
There just aren't enough stars for this track! "Teke, Teke, Teke" is brilliantly written and executed. Stunningly perfect three guitar surf. I can't get enough of this song. Infectious, commanding, uplifting, and wonderful!
Surf (Instrumental)
A bit jazzy, very surf, and moderately paced, "New Wave" has a splash of beauty, a dash of power, a spec of eleki, and a soulful bass line. The arrangement is very cool. Endearing, to say the least!
Surf (Instrumental)
"No Surf Today" slowly ends this fine CD. Pretty, a little sad, and liquid cool. It moves at a gentle pace, with the snare rim providing the beat and the bass giving it heart. In some ways, it's like an updated "Endless Summer," but not quite as innocent and much prettier.