Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This last CD from the Supertones is a posthumous release of remaining archive tracks. Most of the CD is a worthwhile adventure in reverb-land. Take it for a closing chapter, and enjoy it.

Picks: Surf Fever 2000, Playa Del Rey, Moonshot Part 1, The Lonely Bull, Exodus, Side Slippin', The Sweet Ride, Media Noche, Stranger In Paradise, A Taste Of Honey, Perfidia, Lone Rider, Morgan, Scrambler, Movin', King Size, Moonshot Part 2, Baja, Endless Summer, A Hard Day's Night

Surf (Instrumental)

Amidst screams and pounding drums lies a plaintiff riff and ringing chords. This progression based piece has more than its share of energy. Dark and low-down, and pretty derivative.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Playa Del Rey" is a Spanish flavor track with warm tone and solid drums. The balance between lead and rhythm is quite nice, and the melody is excellent, though derivative.

Euro Surf (Instrumental)

The countdown precedes the grodie vibratoed melody. This sad adventure tune has a European feel to it more than surf. It's a well crafted piece, at once familiar and new. The melody seems like a variation on "Dance On" in spots.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is among the most welcomed of the many covers of this tune. It even uses the chorus that the Tijuana Brass used. It's both fresh and surfy, as well as cheesy and dated. The plinky piano is just too cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

Straight ahead cover, with the ska flavor of the Halibuts' version, and an almost Duane Eddy feel. Polished and lots of fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

This track has a very warm tone, round and very pleasing. The melody floats off of the guitar, remaining in your memory long after the track ends. Parts of the melody line are derived from "Blue Moon." Overall, this is an original and very pretty piece. Really nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

Dribbly glissandoes, plinky piano, solid surfability, and a very memorable melody riff coexist in this fine track. The surf factor is high, and the playing really good. Infectious in a powerful and friendly way.

Surf (Instrumental)

Bongos and an almost mystical sound support this middle eastern sounding tune. The ambiance is distant, almost floating on a desert breeze, with excellent piano. I found myself coming back to this track repeatedly.

Surf (Instrumental)

With a million versions of this out there, you'd think that it's all been done before. This is like you'd imagine the Ventures or Shadows would do. When the Ventures did it, they surfed it up. This is fluid and warm, with an original arrangement and floating whammy. Very nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

Italian mobster opening, and a slightly less percussive and more fluid variation on the Halibuts' arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slightly slowed from the Ventures' version, this classic is warm and fluid. The moderating of the pace gives it an islandic feel.

Surf (Instrumental)

Percussive Italian-Mexican feel and floating whammy, with a bit of the west as well. This plucker is very listenable and nicely played. Deluxe friendliness.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is an instro rendering of the German classic. It's a melodic piece, so it works all right without lyrics. It has a sorta country feel to it.

Surf (Instrumental)

Motorcycle engines precede this very well laid out cover of the Sandals' tune. The lead work is splendidly fluid. Much more a floating arrangement than either of the originator's recordings, and certainly smoother than Los Holy's "Sueno Sicodelico." Under the smoothness is a very solid drum track. The new approach is stunningly enjoyable.

Surf (Instrumental)

Lee Hazelwood's surf classic is slowed and soothed. A nice variation to an often covered tune.

Surf (Instrumental)

With a melody line very close to John Anderson's (Bay Men / Eddie and the Showmen / Humans / Ninja Nomads / Neon Spores) "Madame Prairie Dog," this warm piece passes through like a cowboy riding tall in the saddle. The piano is just so honky tonk.

Surf (Instrumental)

The second rendering of this tune sports an intro hints of "Telstar." Not as fun as Part 1. Organ lead.

Surf (Instrumental)

Lee Hazelwood's most familiar surf classic is given new life through a damped and restrained delivery over solid drums. The ringing rhythmic approach is a nice touch.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Sandals' claim to fame is gently played out with fluid warm tone. There's nothing new here, but it's very pretty. The organ that replaces the melodica is atmospheric.

Surf (Instrumental)

Beatlemania comes to surfmania... I hope not. This probably brings grins at live shows, but I didn't find that it stands up to more than one listening. It's nicely arranged and all, just not particularly interesting.