Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Space Plan - S/Tdotdotdot
artworkCanada's Space Plan cross several boundaries, using surf, rockabilly, and rock as a foundation for some pretty remarkable music. their sense of melody is good, and their uniqueness commendable. Sadly, I've had this sitting in my inbox for far too long. It's the cost of being a cassette instead of a CD-R.
Picks: Tread Lightly, Rocket 666, Trail The Rails, West Prairie Range, Honky Tonkin', Rockabilly Jive, Jinx, Twilight Rambler (Theme)

Track by Track Review


Tread Lightly dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This very pretty intro is from a self titled single (1998). The chord based picking is somewhat reminiscent of Paul Johnson's penchant for interplay and maybe folk style finger picking. It's melodic and surprisingly infectious. Dry guitar, and mid tempo rhythm. While it's low key, I found it strangely attractive and memorable. A nice track.

Rocket 666 dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Relying on chunk and drive, "Rocket 666" needs a second guitar to fill it out, but sports a nicely written guitar line. The performance is solid and the band powerful. This marginal sound recording was cut live at CJAM 91.5 FM.

Trail The Rails dotdotdot
Rockabilly (Instrumental)

Another live track from CJAM 91.5 FM, this is a rockabilly rage with lots of echo on the guitar and spunk in the rhythm section. Quite fun!

West Prairie Range dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a beautiful ringing chord track with a splendid semi cowboy feel. Rich and memorable, "West Prairie Range" rides the cactus trail on a late afternoon looking for a good place to bed down for the night.

Honky Tonkin' dotdotdot
Blues (Instrumental)

Yup, you guessed it. This is based on Bill Dogget's "Honky Tonk," but is not really a cover. Live at CJAM 91.5 FM.

Rockabilly Jive dotdotdot
Rockabilly (Instrumental)

"Rockabilly Jive" is just what it says, a rockabilly riff rocker with lots of echo on the guitar and spike in the punch. Live at CJAM 91.5 FM.

Jinx dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Throbbing vibrato delicately introduces "Jinx" to the world. Soft and restrained, it moves into a kind of Spanish interpretation of "Harlem Nocturne," while retaining it's own identity. Haunting and a little unsettling. From the Sonic Hybrids e.p. (1996).

Twilight Rambler (Theme) dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Long flowing whammy surf chords and fine dramatic arranging, coupled with an interesting guitar line, give "Twilight Rambler (Theme)" a sad and magnetic feel. Quite nice. From The Excitement, Entertainment and Music of Teenage Canada CD compilation (1997).