Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Burt Rocket - Savage Iceland
 | This is a superb release from Burt Rocket. The arrangements are exceptionally strong, and the guitars... well... they are just great, as is the band behind them. These are compositions in the true meaning - ensemble chemistry throughout. |
Picks: Mr. Motor, Hunchback, Mexican Meltdown, Kanaloa, The Great Brain Robbery, Crypt Surfer, Stomping Midget, Lobster Boat, Savage Iceland, The Agent from Planet Spy, Spy vs Spy vs Spy, Horror Peak
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Mr. Motor" reminds me a little bit of The Surf Rats "Rat Motor" in drive and texture, but it's a much brighter and tighter song. Highly infectious, with dripping springs and great muted glissandos. Way to fun!
Surf (Instrumental)
The rhythm track here is very James Bond-ish. Heavy double picked lines, delicious muted surf guitar, tremolo shimmered lines... it's all here. It's all about the spy patterns.
Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish surf, spaghetti western danger, and long whammy chords. "Mexican Meltdown" has a great sound, and the melody line is quite exotic, almost Middle eastern. This is a very good track!
Surf (Instrumental)
Wonderful muted reverb guitar lines deliver a playful melody. "Kanaloa" is rhythmic and fun. Infectious and fanciful. You'll like this right from the first note!
Surf (Instrumental)
On the moody side, with floating guitar and tremolo throbbed bass, which is very cool! This is a very well written song with a splendid arrangement. The guitar goes through surf, modulated go-go, and more, but it's that tremolo bass that really capture the imagination.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big and horror dark, "Crypt Surfer" is mean and forbidding, with a dungeonous sound. Gory glissandos and metal clang percussion make it seem like a place you don't want to go, but you can't hold yourself back.
Go-Go Surf (Instrumental)
Fuzz rockin' go-go with slithering slide keys. Surf guitar in the break, and great drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
Moving at a modest pace, "Lobster Boat" seems a lot like something I can't place, but it's different enough not to be derivative. Muted guitar, organ, and a fun riff.
Surf (Instrumental)
Owing a bit to "Miserlou" in the intro, with great chords, dribbling glissandos, cool chords, and many changes. "Savage Iceland" is playful, go-go like, and driven by great drums and bass. Fast double picking, cool muted lines, and lots of energy.
The Agent from Planet Spy Surf (Instrumental)
"The Agent from Planet Spy" is superb, with a spy pattern and some really nice playing. It's fun, not silly, but grin inducing nonetheless. Punch and vigor, and infectious in that cool spy way.
Surf (Instrumental)
Danger lurks at every turn as the pointy-nosed spies face off in their endless tit for tat. The rhythm and bass are very engaging, and the tremolo char of the guitar endearing. Great drums!
Surf (Instrumental)
Some fine echo play and drums open this charmer. Tremolo fuzz, surf guitar, whirling organ, and a superb backing from the bassist and drummer. This is really fun, and the Echoplex action is very artfully employed.