Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | The Nightrunners music is mostly in the Shadows vein, but there are a couple of surfable instros along with a couple of refined actual surf covers. As these kinds of bands go, this is on the high side of the equation from a surf perspective. |
Picks: Katjusha, Idylle, Banzai, Black Magic, Peace Pipe, Skogsblomman, The Ripper, Penetration, Igelkottaskinnet, Moonlight Walk, Pipeline, My Resistance Is Low, Dakota, Min Soldat
Track by Track Review
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
"Katjusha" features a damped lead on some verses, and a more surfable lead line than the Hank Marvin guitar sound usually delivers. Bouncy and affirmative.
Rock (Instrumental)
Echoed guitar delivers a very Euro melody riff over a soft rock backtrack. Not particularly interesting, though you could draw similarities between "Idylle" and some String-a-longs tracks.
Rock (Instrumental)
Not a hint of surf here as the Nightrunners do a very Shadowsy instro. Echoed guitar and soft rock backing.
Surfable Rock (Instrumental)
Acoustic guitar backs this damped echoed guitar track. Playful and bouncy, and squarely in the UK mold. The infectious lead is quite fun, and "Black Magic" is a very satisfying track.
Peace Pipe 
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Peace Pipe" is softly and reverently done. Nothing special or personalized about this cover.
Surfable MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Skogsblomman" is a slowish sad gypsy kinda tune with a prom-stroll backtrack. While pretty and scenic, it's also a little on the MOR side. Still, it's quite nice.
Rock (Instrumental)
Big Shadows echo twang and a bumpin' backbeat. Tastefully done, but not very energetic.
Surf (Instrumental)
Delicate and rhythmic, and played with a refined restraint, the Pyramids' classic "Penetration" has seldom been done with less energy. OK, but it's also quite enjoyable in this more subdued arrangement.
Rock (Instrumental)
An acoustic guitar backs the echoed lead on this tune. The melody is a little on the folksy side, bouncy and flippant.
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
"Moonlight Walk" is slow and damped, and twangy. Echoed guitar plays a friendly if flyweight melody line over a delicate backtrack. Verges on MOR.
Surf (Instrumental)
Chantays' definitive "Pipeline" is very dryly effected, like a cross between the Shadows and waves. Soft and refined, yet quite nice, like a warm afternoon version of the original. The arrangement is pretty darn close to the source less the piano. Quite nice.
My Resistance Is Low 
MOR Rock (Instrumental)
Plucky Euro playfulness abounds in this MOR track. Fun, but completely unremarkable.
Rock (Instrumental)
The Shadows' "Dakota" is reverently covered, with charm, but not a lot of originality. Very smooth, just not particularly catchy.
Rock (Instrumental)
Damped echoed pluckola and warm Hank Marvinisms slush out a liquid moonlit evening scene. Quite pretty, and light weight.