Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | Surf Cinema's first release sports 17 tracks. The early copies include their live KFJC performance as a bonus. |
Picks: Flemgringo, Zippy To The Rescue, Unbundled, Sticky Finger Sunset, Pale Face Hombre, Honeybaked Ham, Dos, Dos Equis Por Favor, Harlem By The Sea, He No Lickety Split, Prague Rock, Dead Pedestrians, Ricko Suave, Strait Up Chuck, Country-fied, Quarter Pump, Bullfight In April, Sleigh Ride
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a kinda Spanish song with a circular melody line and warm string bending. The beat is solid, as is the bass. The break thicker and more dramatic. Simple open road wind in the face traveling music.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Zippy To The Rescue" is a little bluesy and energetic. There's a bit of the "Stand Back" verse from Steve Miller hinted at in the break.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a spectacular piece. Long whammy chords, a slow rhythmic moody afternoon sound, and an ominous edge. "Unbundled" stands right out as the coolest track in the set, with more depth and emotional content, and a really fine structure. It fades to near silence midway before crunching back to full throated power. Magnificent!
Surf (Instrumental)
A lot like Laika and the Cosmonauts' "Fadeaway," but injected with anticipation and whammy. This is a very pretty song with a thick command and fluid delivery. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Cool whammy and a bit of a desert edge, and a warm thunder. "Pale Face Hombre" is a border tune with romantic village conflict at its heart. Very friendly!
Surf (Instrumental)
Ah, the imagination of instro writers when it comes to titles. There's nothing hammy or honeybaked about "Honeybaked Ham." Strong and thick, vibrato throbbed, and a little ominous. Great drums!
Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish breezes carry warm tropical aromas across the playa on the wings of liquid guitar. "Dos, Dos Equis Por Favor" is a pretty and very interesting song, with a bit of sadness and splashy optimism.
Surf (Instrumental)
Earl Hagen's wonderful "Harlem By The Sea" is played fast and fluidly, a lot like Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet cut it. This is a fun and adventurous performance with dynamic variations.
Surf (Instrumental)
Thundering drums and rumbling bass under thick power bar guitar. This is a dominating track with a solid beat and plenty of mean action. The stinging whammy chords are quite intense!
Surf (Instrumental)
On the mean side, thick with whammy, and grumbly, "Prague Rock" speaks of spies and vibrato danger. On the faster side, yet with a sense of delicacy. Very nice!
Surf (Instrumental)
Thick and whammified, kinda Laika-ish, and pumpin' with energy. The light whammy breaks are very cool! And the inspiration for "Dead Pedestrians" is...?
Surf (Instrumental)
This song of Spanish womanizing is really cool, with whammy and sunny adventure at every turn. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
On the fast side, "Strait Up Chuck" is riffy and circular, but is also catchy. In some ways, it's hints of the Austin sound, yet speaks of Northern latitudes.
Surf (Instrumental)
A short blast of speedy punkoidal echoed circular riffology... only 30 seconds long, and sporting a slowdown fall apart ending that's pretty cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Quarter Pump" is a slick number with warm whammy and an infectious inviting sound. An excellent song that hints of spies and foreign travel. A very fun song.
Surf (Instrumental)
Fast circular dark surf from the Bell®! Kinda like a fast "Pink Panther" on the rocks. Even a morphed "Wipe Out" verse to connect to the surf.
Surf (Instrumental)
Surf Cinema ended the show with a holiday foreshadow... a spunky performance of ""Bullfight In April"" Arranged similarly to Los Straitjackets, this is just too fun!
