Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Squid Vicious - At War With The Whales
 | Finally, a whole CD from Austin's Squid Vicious. Mostly studio instro tracks, augmented by a few live and vocal cuts. The Squids just keep getting better and better! Original ideas, and no fear of variant style mergers. Vocals here include live takes of "Casino Royale," "Allison's Off The Wagon," and Brian Seltzer's "Fishnet Stockings." |
Picks: Deep Eddy, Hombrecito, No, Mr. Bond. I Expect You To SURF!, Squid Racer, Egypt Texas, Backburner, Armadillo Races, Velvet, Bandera!, Skankin' Eddy, Wade In The Water
Track by Track Review
Aggressive Garage Surf (Instrumental)
The Squidly daddies deliver one fiery performance of their original number that is also available in studio form elsewhere. Hot playing, but cruddy ambient recording.
Progressive Jazz Surf (Instrumental)
A very tasty number with a mysterious feel to it. The progressive jazz bass intro leads into very nice guitar work that projects a mystic island Latin atmosphere in a slow moody structure. Very nice, Teddy boy!
No, Mr. Bond. I Expect You To SURF! Surf (Instrumental)
Sampled intro from a James Bond film, natch! A simple melody, a cool and calm espionage feel, and ample twango. Bitchin' track. Oh for the release of a whole Squid Vicious CD by the real Squid Vicious (Ted is the REAL Squid Vicious!)... I have spoken!
Surf (Instrumental)
Mysterious and surf driven, with a low-E reverbed lead. It has an espionage feel, or maybe it's a back street brawl menace... either way, the frantic glissandoes and urgent delivery give it a sense of danger.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is the Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet tune, delivered with more shimmer and a moodier feel. Solid groove and flow.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Backburner" is an urgent chunka chunka barn buster, with a churning organ and raw guitar in the tradition of single B-sides. It's occasionally punctuated by glissandoes. Fun.
Edgie Southwest Rock (Instrumental)
Crude live tape from Austin's Hole In The Wall June 28, '96. The tune is a progression that's a bit repetitious, but the energetic performance by guitar thrashers Ted James and Tony Cooke carries the day.
Surf (Instrumental)
Round lead tones and ringing chords combine to create a powerful jangle instro. It has a sorta Plimsouls feel about it. Good listening.
Surf (Instrumental)
As Squid Vicious advances, they become more melodic and crunchy. This is a fine tune with rolling drums and Spanish influenced surf guitar. The rolling thunder created by the drums and bass is an excellent counterpoint to the Mexican flavor of the melody.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an idea that's been kicking around for quite a while - a ska arrangement of "Deep Eddy." Loaded with flair and fun, and the swirling piano glissandoes are just too cool! Great!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a rich surf arrangement of Ramsey Lewis' classic soul instro "Wade In The Water." The rich percussion and distorted guitar are a great combo for this tune. Nice job, boys!