Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Mel-tones - Rocket Sled To Oahu
 | This is essentially the pre-release version of Los Mel-tones' Surfin' At Black Point album. |
Picks: Rocket Sled To Oahu, Kung Fu Saturdays, Reef Patrol, Surfin' Natasha, Papakolea Beach, Incognito, Break Point, You'll Never Surf In This Town Again, Bird Lady From Ghost Town, Beyond The Stars, Tiki Cabana, Moon Walk, Curl Rider Stomp, Go Big Or Go Home, Mission To Mazatlan, Avienu Malkainu, Astronomic
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This track is a rippin adventure. Speedy and melodic, with punchy damped guitar. Edgy surfisms. The rhythm guitar is heavy staccato, while the lead and organ trade off on the melodic line. Energetic.
Surf (Instrumental)
A melodic and well spiced tune, with delightful glissandoes. Double picked, fluid, and punchy. The guys shout in the background too. Infectious, powerful, and hot fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Cool lead and rhythm balance. The organ is subdued suitably, while the surfisms rule. "Reef Patrol" seems ominous, yet flowing and gentle, with adventurous Dick Dale-isms and Spanish flair. Very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surfin' Natasha" is based on Cozy Cole's classic big band monster Topsy. Surf and shimmer meet swing head on. Cool track, with some excellent heavy surf tone.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very nice Island sorta number, with a Surf Coasters kinda melody line. "Papakolea Beach" is adventurous and flocked with dribbling glissandoes. Spooky in a classic way.
Surf (Instrumental)
Spy surf deluxe with emphasis on the surf. "Incognito" is a very nice tune, with a very cool riff and solid surf sensibilities. Exceptionally cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very pretty tune with a great sound. "Break Point" reminds me of a few of John Blair's slower tunes. Well written, beautifully liquid, melodic and plunky... Wow! Very nice indeed.
You'll Never Surf In This Town Again Surf (Instrumental)
A shimmering lead guitar plays a very pleasing melody. The vibrato throbs with liquid emotion as it delivers a sad and groovy melody.
Bird Lady From Ghost Town Edgy (Instrumental)
Chunky and edgy, but didn't do anything for me.
Surf (Instrumental)
A great melody and cool coldness hints of the vacuum of space. It has a bit of a middle eastern feel, and a hint of Dick Dale. The low-E / high-E interplay is really cool. Great track.
Surf (Instrumental)
El Patio de Afternoono Dilecto (pardon my Spanish). Fiery, flowery, Spanish, and dripping coolness. It's an afternoon on the patio watching the curl break just beyond the bikini line. Very sensual.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very tasty and melodic. Nice mid tempo feel.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Curl Rider Stomp" is a fun track with a spunky beat and plenty of chunka-chunka, spiked with chants of "curl rider" and "shoot the curl now." This is infectious and sports righteous reverb.
Fuzz (Instrumental)
"Go Big Or Go Home" is quite a departure with it's edgy and fuzzy face. Great surf rhythm guitar and fuzz lead playing a slightly eastern melody. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
Mariachi pomp and shimmering guitar emote a mystery unfolding on the beach in Mazatlan. "Mission To Mazatlan" presents a great image and warm mystery. The organ takes the break.
Surf (Instrumental)
A fiery traditional Jewish song with a cool energetic feel. "Avienu Malkainu" carries you along, whether you want to go or not. Great Dick Dale nods too. Brilliant!
Rock Progression (Instrumental)
This is an edgy surfy stompy number. Splashy and frat driven, chunky and churny, with a fuzz lead over rich surf guitar. Nice track.