Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Ramonetures - Johnny Walk-Dont-Run Paulene
 | Billy Zoom joins the Ramonetures in nodding a tribute to X. Much of X's music was melodic, and all of it was rhythmically and texturally rich. In instrumental form, with Billy Zoom playing guitar, flute and/or sax, the music takes on a whole new dimension while remaining clearly X driven. I think this is much stronger than the Ramones tribute was, and much more interesting musically. Some really fine tracks here. |
Picks: Your Phone's Off The Hook, Johnny Hit And Run Paulene, Los Angeles, The Unheard Music, White Girl, Shadowlight, Blue Spark, Motel Room In My Bed, The Hungry Wolf, Adult Books, Beyond and Back, Year One Twist!
Track by Track Review
Your Phone's Off The Hook Rock (Instrumental)
Big guitar rock with intense guitar and relentless beat. This song is more about intensity than melody, but its power is undeniable.
Johnny Hit And Run Paulene Rock (Instrumental)
This song translates fairly well into the instro format. Solid drums and thunder, and nicely accented guitar over a great rhythm.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Los Angeles" gets into surf territory with glissandoes and a fluid melody line. Tuff rhythms and a solid beat support it well. This is an excellent track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This slow lumbering almost Reventlos arrangement is guided by vibes in the lead. It's very cool, with the vibes offset by edgy angular guitar rhythm and grumbly power. A fine track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This classic X track is handled well in intro form, with its melody coming through and the guitar in fine form.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Shadowlight" is played out in a Shadows style guitar lead against a fast thrashy punkoidal backtrack. The contrast between the styles is very effective.
Surf (Instrumental)
The jerky military nature of the rhythm track is a splendid offset to the excellent guitar leads. This is melodic and fluid, while also being intense and edgy. Excellent track.
Surf (Instrumental)
An open road traveling backtrack supports a splendid lead melody. This is pretty infectious, with surf elements and lots of optimistic energy.
Surf (Instrumental)
This most familiar of all X songs gets the instro treatment, with the vibes in the lead in duet with eerie spring-like guitar. Writhing with rhythm and drive, "The Hungry Wolf" is quite charming and infectious.
Surf (Instrumental)
Calypso rhythms support Billy Zoom's splendid flute lead in this rhythmic and infectious track. "Adult Books" is polished and entirely too much fun!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Beyond and Back" is a rockabilly twangster with intense energy and a rockin' soul.
Surf (Instrumental)
Billy Zoom's sax leads the way through this fifties romp. High energy and rockin' spirit, with more charm than a spittoon in the waiting room. Cool track.