Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Les Megatones - Vive Les Copains
 | This 1964 release from Les Megatones includes some very cool material. Their style verged on surf from time to time. |
Picks: Altitude 3000, La Casa Cha-Cha, Priere D'amour, Jeunesse Jump, L'aventure, Twist des Copains, Ton Image, Guitare Limbo, Theme D'amour, Zebra Twist, Les Amours de Jeunesse, Vive Les Copains
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
Post rockabilly guitar instro spunk and fun front an infectious drum and bass track. "Altitude 3000" is lots of fun, but a ways from the surf idiom.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Moving ever closer to MOR, yet retaining just enough edge to keep afloat, Les Megatones play a catchy and slightly sad song with a bit of a stiff arrangement.
Near Surf Spaghetti (Instrumental)
A bit of French or Italian sidewalk cafe double picking, a fifties slow drama riff, a sad lead line, and a soft MOR delivery combine to create a pleasant track. You can well imaging this being stellar at the hands of someone with the sense of suave and humor or Drew Weaver and the Alvarados. It grows on you, like a sad spaghetti western.
Pre Surf (Instrumental)
A pre surf guitar and some interesting rhythm and piano work fill out a melodic track with cool drums and an infectious little sound. A busy and cool bassline with great drums. Fun and memorable.
Surf (Instrumental)
Fine piano work supports a dry guitar that's not really out front at all. Its almost surf lines are hidden by the dry tone and the dominance of the cool piano work. This is a very original variation on the theme to the TV series "Adventures In Paradise." A very fine track.
Rock (Instrumental)
This is more basic and simple riff rocker, with thin guitar and some charm. The spunk is in the rhythm section, and the flair in the guitar work. Kinda catchy.
Ton Image Rock (Instrumental)
A fifties pomp and circumstance cake walk intro, a classical piano circulating backup, a last dance drum beat, and an over echoed guitar line. Slow and pleasant.
Surf (Instrumental)
A little like the Champs "Limbo Rock," this very fun track undulates with Mexican charm. On the light weight side, but very fun. The drums are very cool, and the bass lines very rhythmic.
Rock (Instrumental)
As you might expect, "Theme D'amour" is a slow love song with a sad September feel. Pretty enough.
Zebra Twist Rock (Instrumental)
"Zebra Twist" borders on being little more than a jam. Competent, but just not moving.
Rock (Instrumental)
Really cool damped second guitar, shallow vibrato lead, and a perfectly straight bass and drum track. "Les Amours de Jeunesse" is a really nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Vive Les Copains" is very close to "Luau" (The Beach Boys). It's a fun track with a fairly surf sound. Quite nice.