Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Rat Holic - Wipe Out With
 | The performances here are very good, and the arrangements fun, but the audio distorion makes listening quite a chore. It sounds like a dub from worn out vinyl with digital distortion induced. Musically, this CD is fun, but sound is so bad that I can not recommend it. |
Picks: Silver Bullet, Mr. Hiro, Little Woody, Surf Party, Good Grief, Dynamite, Kamikaze, 250 cc Rider, Surfin' Alligator, Yu-Hi, Church Key, (Koi-no) Rat Blues, Red River Rock, Fat Rat Surfer, Surfin' Chihuahua, Run! Run!
Track by Track Review
Silver Bullet Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
This is a variant of the Crossfires' song, which is the Lone Rangers' theme, which is Rossini's "William Tell Overture" revamped. Whew! While the arrangement is fun, the high end distortion makes listening a real; chore.
Mr. Hiro Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
"Mr. Hiro" is essentially Dick Dale's "Shake N' Stomp." The horn and honky tonk piano add a tinkling bar feeling.
Little Woody Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
"Little Woody" is a light weight frolic, led by the organ and alternately guitar. I expect this would be a lot more interesting if not mastered so badly.
Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
This is a loungy arrangement of "Surf Party," with organ lead and a cheesy go-go sound. It's interesting, but not remarkable.
Good Grief Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
The Revels' stompy "Good Grief" is very trashy, with unlistenable track distortion. Under the noise is a stompy and fun rendition of the song.
Dynamite Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
This is a moderately interesting song with some chunkiness. Stylistically, it's frat rock with guitar focus.
Kamikaze Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Paul Johnson's "Kamikaze" seems always to work. The way Rat Holic play it is very cool, retaining the original engaging warmth.
250 cc Rider Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Stompy and riffy, "250 cc Rider" doesn't rise much above frat rock. I don't think it has much direction.
Surfin' Alligator Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Minor league Booker T. and the MG's with frat rock squanking and Northwest guitar styling.
Yu-Hi Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
"Yu-Hi" is almost surf, and sports very cool piano, but is otherwise just frat rock.
Church Key Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Dan Darnold classic frat rocker "Church Key" is done with no shortage of beer and pretzels. Very spunky and fun.
Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Surf guitar plays a very cool riff. Among the cleanest tracks soundwise, "(Koi-no) Rat Blues" is very nicely done. Plucky Japanese guitar lines, softly played sax, and a sultry feel. Quite nice.
Red River Rock Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Little personality here, and dreadful distortion. I'll stick with the Johnny and the Hurricanes version, thank you.
Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
"Fat Rat Surfer" is a combination frat rock and surf, with a somewhat catchy riff. The distortion trashes it, but the song beneath is enjoyable.
Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Get along little doggie! Riff rock / frat rock progression based fun. Not melodic, but catchy.
Run! Run! Surf Lounge Trash (Instrumental)
Horrid distortion, but then it's just a chord progression. The melody over the top is fun and might really rock if you could hear it with scratch filters engaged.