Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Wow... it's been ages waiting for this release. Great playing and writing, solid arranging, and lots to like - surf wise. It's OK is just plain good! |
Picks: The Bay Of Chicks, Quasimoto, Pinball, Mosquito, Big Wail, The Fraud, Argentina, One Note Man, Tsunami '95, The Guts, Ballroom Beach, Tumari, Washout, Waikiki Curl, It's OK
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
A ringing guitar issues an intense pattern, and then a gritty glissando ushers in an additive fuzz, bass, and organ before the song evolves into a rock-solid wash of surf-n-roll. The melody line is loud and really cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Muted reverb coolness plays a delightfully fluid melody while muted rhythms undulate. There are places where the bass apes the guitar line, which normally is a no-no, but where that occurs here, the guitar deviates from the pattern, which allows the bass to make the led really stand out. Other times, the bass and both guitars are in sync for a highly rhythmic sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Pinball" is loud and splashy. The rising organ in the break creates a surreal slide of energy upward. Dramatic and quite original.
Surf (Instrumental)
This has all the earmarks of SoCal surf in the modern era with great liquid reverb and a splashy infectious melody. Dribbling guitars, dripping springs, and strong visuals. "Mosquito" is optimistic and totally cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy low-e thunder and relentless energy. I'm not sure I get the point of the "oo-oo" choruses, but they seem to suggest the pop vocal side of the beach, but almost as if they are thumbing their noses at it, 'cuz never did any of that genre play with such fire in their bones!
Surf (Instrumental)
Big and spacious, "The Fraud" is visual the way spaghetti westerns can be, but it's all surf. Upbeat, sparkling, sweeping, and utterly pleasurable.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Argentina" is a slow romantic song with near military drums that illustrate the conflict between the sensuality of Argentina and its strong-arm government. I don't know if that was the intent, but it immediately came to mind as this superb song pour out of the speakers.
Surf (Instrumental)
Rich spaghetti tremolo shimmer opens this drama-laden stomp. Its deliberate pace and loud tone command attention. "One Note Man" is almost entirely constructed from one note. It is - in a word - big. You won't be humming it, but you won't forget it either.
Surf (Instrumental)
Brittle guitar tone creates tension in this strong surf raver. The melody is unusual for surf, and it works quite well. Great drums!
Surf (Instrumental)
Rich and dark, muted danger, and ominous lines throughout. "The Guts" is perhaps as uncomfortable as its title. Occasional theremin, big twang, and strong drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Ballroom Beach" is almost delicate, with some lovely guitar lines painting a picture of an easy time. That's not o say that the song is light, because it is not. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Long sustain whammy chords and surf sparkle over a very tasteful rhythm section. The fluid melody is captivating in the way some sixties Mediterranean themes were. "Tumari" is simply satisfying front to back!
Surf (Instrumental)
Writhing chop chords and reverb create a superbly infectious backing for a really fine melody. "Washout" is simply superb and original. The Bo Diddley beat doesn't hurt either, 'cuz he was where great rock guitar began.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a fast spy thrasher with big twang and disturbed whammy. It's dissonant melody creates tension that permeates espionage sounds above a wonderful muted surf rhythm section.
Surf (Instrumental)
Rick, slowly sinking whammy chords, reverb, tremolo shimmer, and a sort of spaghetti visual feel. "It's OK" may move slowly, but there's no shortage of drama and power. very cool!
