Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA SPUTNIKS - Surf Twang and Rock 'n' Roll
 | The reunited Sputniks (Spotnicks) have recorded a very cool CD. No surf in the west coast sense, but several really surfable tracks, and a bunch more imaginative and pristine songs that demand listening. Vocals include "Rock a Billy Man," "Walk Out On Me," "Let's Go Down To The Hop," and "By By By." |
Picks: Sputnik Theme, Roll Out, Spanish Coast, Arena, Storm, Man With The Harmonica, Hochzeitstanz, Tribute To E. Morricone, Celtic Memory, Re-Entry, In der Halle des Bergkonigs, Nordlicht 2002, Gitarren Twist
Track by Track Review
Rock (Instrumental)
Great drums pump out a tribal beat to open this very cool song. An almost ska guitar and solid bass support a great twangy guitar lead. "Sputnik Theme" sports an almost gypsy sad melody line. It's very cool.
Rock (Instrumental)
Semi garagy distortion and Euro twango deliver an intriguing song. "Roll Out" has edge and mystique. Great swimming whammy chords!
Rock (Instrumental)
"Spanish Coast" has a pretty and moody melody played by a fluid Euro guitar sound. The organ supports. A very nice track.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Arena" is a melodic rock instro with a cool riff and big twang. There's something attractive about the guitar lines.
Rock (Instrumental)
The backtrack is on the heavy side, while the lead guitar in "Storm" is fluid and haunting. It's a great combo, with an amazing sound. It shimmers and sends chills up your spine. Great track!
Rock (Instrumental)
"Man With The Harmonica" uses a distant chamber reverbed harmonica to create a forlorned atmosphere. The moody guitar lines float across the night like a lost cowboy. Quite pretty.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Hochzeitstanz" has a country structure and a haunting European sound. Surf scenes, long echoed guitar, and moody barn dance disquieting edge.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
Spaghetti western sounds and eeriness, and a moving melody line. "Tribute To E. Morricone" is a really nice track, with a haunted sound. Great liquid chords and even distant whistles. Great stuff!
Rock (Instrumental)
"Celtic Memory" is a kind of polished moody soft rock tribute to Celtic music. Spooky and sad.
Rock (Instrumental)
Telemetry and falling electro sounds precede the wispy sadness of "Re-Entry." A fine moody melody and very attractive band sound make this stand out.
In der Halle des Bergkonigs Rock (Instrumental)
Sounding like a dramatic and brooding film score, this angular and floating number is essentially "Hall Of The Mountain King." It's a very cool interpretation. Drama, prog artiness, and solid interest.
Rock (Instrumental)
Echoed drama, beautiful chords, warm flexing strings, and then, the haunting beauty of the melody takes control. "Nordlicht 2002" is just plane cool!
Rock (Instrumental)
This basic guitar boogie is well done and energetic. Is it Frank Virtue and the Virtues' "Guitar Twist?" Fun.