Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Speedball Jr - Treble in Paradise
 | Speedball Jr deliver some very intense material often in a murky wash. Mixes are inconsistent, and the organ is sometimes overbearing. This is a really strong band most of the time, but production values restrain the music's effectiveness. |
Picks: Treble in Paradise, Swimming With The Sharks, Beat Girl, Pilgrimage, Bombora, Motion Of The Ocean, ÉAnd The Horse You Rode In On, There She Blows, Cor Steijn Rides The Wild
Track by Track Review
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy and fuzzy, with a tiki underbelly and surf edge. "Treble in Paradise" has a spy-style melody and a great title. Some excellent drums here.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Tuff glissandos and dark, menacing double picked tone. The organ is overbearing, sapping the track's energy.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Starting slowly, but launching into a big row of guitar and organ. A lack of panning causes the organ to obscure the guitar's power. Otherwise, "Swimming With The Sharks" is a powerful track.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
John Barry's "Beat Girl" gets an interesting treatment with a rich rhythm section and spooky stereo Leslie organ lead. The arrangement works really well with this classic British tune.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Splendid organ lines and a great beat bring out a lot of fun as "Take It Back" unfolds.
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
A traditional surf rhythm pattern and haunted keys lay out a graveyard image. The lead is way in the back, adding to the foggy, disturbed feeling. Pretty interesting.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Atlantics' "Bombora" is done with superb reverence. Great guitar licks, true to the original. Powerful, fun, and dripping surf!
Surf (Instrumental)
Organic and thumping, with organ well mixed into the track. Big booming bass and a solid guitar line. gritty glissandos and dangerous curl. "Motion Of The Ocean" rocks and rumbles.
Mr. White Spy Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy guitar, angular guitar chords, and long organ chords. "Mr. White" has a thick and murky sound with overbearing organ. Can't really tell what the guitar is doing, and that is where the melody is.
ÉAnd The Horse You Rode In On Spy Surf (Instrumental)
"...And The Horse You Rode In On" is an aggressive surf-rock assault. Gritty, powerful, and dangerous. Is this the The Mofos' song?
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
"There She Blows" is hauntingly beautiful. It has a Sandals island sense about it. Peaceful, picturesque, and just a touch sad. I like this a lot!
Maiden Surf Rock (Instrumental)
On the murky side, "Maiden Surf" is a bit fast, and seems frantic. Riffy and dark.
Cor Steijn Rides The Wild Spy Surf (Instrumental)
The Apemen's "Cor Steijn Rides The Wild" is raucous and loud, preserving the garage assault required by the original. Very intense!