Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Rock Fish - Deep From The Upwellings Here Comes The Rock Fishdotdotdotdot
artworkThere are some very nicely written pieces of music here, well suited for the trio format. Fresh ideas and playful guitar lines, and some shredders too. The only thing marring this recording is the demo mix which takes away from the power and grace of the performance. This is exemplified by the toms panned too hard and too present, and the lead guitar not quite out front enough.
Picks: La Playa Del Sol, Pescaderos, Showdown, Baja, Late Drop, Sandy Wet Girl, Cantamar, Davey From El Salvador, Baloney Tacos, Pumphouse, Hogans, Sandbar, South Bird

Track by Track Review


La Playa Del Sol dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Well now, this is a nice track! "La Playa Del Sol" plays on Spanish themes and portrays the beach in the sun quite well, with a bit of mystery thrown in. A very nice track.

Pescaderos dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Pescaderos" is an open road kind of surf instro, with a great melody and Spanish coastal feel. The glissandoes and the rhythmic nature of the song speak clearly to motion, whether on a highway or waterway. An excellent song!

Showdown dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a cover of a Ventures song, but is this really the title? Maybe "Showdown At Newport?" No matter, this is an adventurous song with a happy riff and energetic rhythm section. Way fun.

Baja dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Always good to hear "Baja." While this is a fairly simple arrangement (the Rock Fish are a trio after all), it works quite well. Great drums and solid bass under lots of solid guitar work keep this more than interesting. A fine cover of Lee Hazelwood's most famous instro.

Late Drop dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

With an intro rhythm much like the Vy-Dels' "Unknown," this song is both familiar and original. The inviting nature of the rhythm and the solid performance bear repeated listenings.

Sandy Wet Girl dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Warm chords open "Sandy Wet Girl." A little cautious, and a little flippant, the song is inviting and playful. Fine whammy chords and an adventurous riff, along with a classic surf beat.

Cantamar dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Lovely surf whammy and a sense of travel to a new surf spot, with the uncomplicated freedom of a no-worry day. Pretty and spunky too.

Davey From El Salvador dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Davey From El Salvador" drives the woody down that dirt road on the way to the mystery spot where you can ride in and out all day long. Exotic and splashy, adventurous and happy, with a very cool melody riff.

Baloney Tacos dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Baloney Tacos" is not the least bit like a meal. It's much more like a tribal dance of the tube. A catchy riff, relentless bass, and tribal drums. Lunch unencumbered by taste... I can't imagine baloney tacos! Oh well, it's probably a good thing I already ate.

Pumphouse dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The melody riff in "Pumphouse" is very pretty. The fluid melody and tribal drums paint a picture of sun and lazy after-surf napping. This is a very cool song, with a great core riff and arrangement. It's both pretty and fluid, but not placid.

Hogans dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Some Doobie Brothers chords provide a tropical foundation for "Hogans." This is quite different than the rest of the material here, more like a backing track than a song.

Sandbar dotdotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Thunder and danger lurk in "Sandbar," which sports some fine glissandoes and double picked lines. Ominous and powerful, with an interesting main riff. Tribal drums, bass grumble, and shredding guitar lines.

South Bird dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a fun song with splashy surfisms and a happy feel. The riff is circular and playful, and the idea fresh. Nice track.