Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Shi-tones - Demos / Outtakes / Premixes [1999]
 | This 1999 demo contains 12 tracks in several styles by the then-developing Shi-tones. The sound is an amalgam of the Mermen, surf, and the Indian subcontinent. |
Picks: Jungle Jump, Movin', Adventures In Paradise, Falling Up, There Is A Tear, The Bumble Bee, Drivin' With ZZ, Crazy Guitar, Falling Up, Jewels, Burning, Sway
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Tribal drums, long guitar chords, and tweaky sounds blend in a relentless rhythm dominated track that has an industrial edge and samples for effect. Very unusual for Jim Thomas and company.
Surf (Instrumental)
Lee Hazelwood's classic surf riff rocker is well suited for the Shi-tones. It's damped reverb plucking and echoed drums, delicately delivered, and rhythm dependence make it quite cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
The theme to the ABC television series is beautifully stretched out with island sway and warm breezes. Subtle, tribal, and carefree, "Adventures In Paradise" is a stunning track.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Mermen classic is more traditionally delivered, with heavy bass and exotic drums. The whammy dipped guitar riffs give it that Duane Eddy twang. On the ominous side, this arrangement is magnetic and wonderful.
Surf (Instrumental)
A beautiful and wistful melody line floats on the evening air like lilac on a summer evening. Very pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
Antiquarian Ventures' song with a bit of grumble and twang. Delicately played with precision and charm.
Surf (Instrumental)
A double kick drum beat and a chop-rhythm guitar drone evolves into a song of vibrato charm and endearing danger. Like Link Wray with shimmer, "Drivin' With ZZ" is adventurous and slightly ominous.
Surf (Instrumental)
Guitar riffology and adventure, with stinging whammy chords and circular motion. "Crazy Guitar" is not at all crazy, but rather warm and slightly edgy. The whammy chords are intense and powerful.
Surf (Instrumental)
The classic Mermen song "Falling Up" is repositioned with a restrained intensity and funky beat. It lumbers of wings of gauze, moves with grace and funk, and is angular and fanciful. Very cool song.
Surf (Instrumental)
A heavy thunder industrial beat under tweaky slow-change electronics, with an Indian sitar-ish guitar line and psychedelic flower power feel. Excellent.
Surf (Instrumental)
Thump and incense, raga ethics, and exotic drones permeate the flowered night air. With a distant feel and hazy opium den scene, "Burning" floats with an off-the-beaten-path foreign adventure sense.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Mermen's glorious "Sway" is beautifully lush and delicate in this arrangement. Poetic and lush, it takes your breath away.