Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The San Andreas Fault - Encantada EP
 | This is a disc of surf based seriously scenic music that seems ripe for film score adaptation. Miles from traditinal surf, yet still displaying its roots between the lines. Moody and very visual music from the San Andreas Fault. |
Picks: Encantada, Fault Herald, Maestro's Gone, Splinterlude, Go Sleepy, Bags Unlimited, Sympatico, Untitled
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Long ringing chords play out beneath an sadly optimistic low-E melody in this slow and moody piece. "Encantada" sports dramatic drums and softly lowdown bass. Midway through, there's a mid tempo scene that settles right back into the main theme. This is quite a fine track.
Surf (Instrumental)
A discordant grumble moves moodily beneath "Fault Herald," which has a kind of Canadian instro rock feel to it, like Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
Surf (Instrumental)
Vibrating with stereo nervousness, a vibrato guitar oozes scarily in support of a slow and moody melody that's very dramatic. The writing is very late fifties film score stylistically, and the arrangement is thick and plodding, with a lot of European sadness to it.
Scene (Instrumental)
A sampled voice interludes over vibes and moody scene sounds. Yes, it's definitely titled correctly.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Go Sleepy" sports beautifully throbbing vibrato guitar chords offset by dry guitar chords and soft bass and brushed drums. Above it all is a moody lead guitar line. This slow moving song is very pretty, and very effective. It grows on you.
Lounge Surf (Instrumental)
More interludinal tweakery and vibes present a more musical track, with a fine surf guitar to offset the lounginess. Short, and smooth.
Surf (Instrumental)
String bending island vacation scenes and moody, almost Aqua Velvets-like melodies run a game of tourist delight on you. Very interesting, and on the strange side too.
Film Surf (Instrumental)
This is a relentlessly scenic and moody piece with a longing for a film to be in. Dramatic and mysterious, dark and yet not depressing. This unlisted 9th track comes after a short vocal version of "Sympatico" with 10-1/2 minutes of silence at its end.