Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

More than just a best of, Misirlou 10th Anniversary Best includes a number of first-time tracks, including a new cut of "Misirlou."

Picks: Misirlou, Shark Man, The Clash, Ultra Q's Theme, Beach Monster, Wave Weapon, Chasing Shadows, Tsunami Struck, Vamos Por Ahi, Intruder, Bombora, Black Hole, Big Thunder, Adventures In Paradox, Hawaiian Delight, Cyclone, Baja, Jack The Ripper, Riding High, Happy Easter!, Black Sand Beach, Surf Express, Jaws Break, Fly Up, Miserlou

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a new and very tuff recording of "Misirlou" that's simply loaded with fire and fury. The guitar playing is stunningly fast and the bass and drums in top form. Simply wonderful!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Shark Man" is another new song with a great beat and powerful drums. Shigeo flies around the guitar like there's no tomorrow. It's more like an Eddie Angel garage rocker, yet very surfy. Pure flash and power.

Surf (Instrumental)

"The Clash" is very heavily Dick Dale inspired, and the guitar tones are very close to his, like the tones achieved by the reformed Chantays on "Killer Dana" - perfect surf sound.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Ultra Q's Theme" is cool and moody. A new variation for the band, it is slightly reminiscent of Laika and the Cosmonauts.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Beach Monster" is a mighty intense and hair-raising tune. You can not resist it's draw. And the glissandoes of sampled breaking waves is more than the mind can handle.

Surf (Instrumental)

Heavily reverbed damped second guitar and strong lead work like the Ventures with power. "Wave Weapon" is melodic and powerful, with an infectious lead line and some very fiery guitar work. The burning glissandoes demand attention, and get it. relentlessly powerful.

Surf (Instrumental)

High energy Latin backtrack under a twangy mid tempo lead line. Intense energy, spirited performance, and infectious sound.

Surf (Instrumental)

A fast and furious, and influenced by "Point Panic." The energy is extremely high, and the sax break screams "look out!" A great shreddin' track!

Surf (Instrumental)

Acoustic rhythm guitar, areba shouts, and decidedly Spanish, almost "Border Town" (Eddie and the Showmen) melody lines find this track spreading dreams of a Baja trip through your subconscious. Infectious, fun, and wonderfully played.

Surf (Instrumental)

The second version is the hit version from the TV ads. It is an intense surf number full of double picks and raw energy. This tune is melodic, and fiery.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Surf Coasters take the Original Surfaris' "Bombora" down a notch for a more textured and rich sound. Less intense, but very powerful. As always, the band cuts a fine track with precision and style. The rhythm guitars dominate the mix, yet the lead fires through.

Surf (Instrumental)

One of the great modern Indian riff based surf track, all pumped up live like there's no tomorrow. Entirely infectious, and not the usual trite Indian theme stuff either, but still readily recognizable as within that genre. Totally stoked!

Surf (Instrumental)

Power glissando opening, a cry of "big thunder," and then a big crunch surf riff powers a thundering surf tune with excellent drums and major rumble. Some high end saturation on the lead guitar adds edge to the track. Fast, powerful, and too much fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow silky sad melody over distant sirens and spooky ambiance. The rain on the roof and a sense of the unavoidable permeate this slow lush piece, with beautiful round full guitar tone. The melody line is very nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

The title might mislead you to expect Polynesian suave, but don't even go there. This is big thundering tom toms, grumbling bass, and incredible Dick Dale-esq guitar fire, double picked and slid up and down the neck with complete abandon. The chorded beauty of the break is in sharp contrast to the shred-ability of the main melody. This is a monster track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Aggressive surf pound, progression riffs, hyper drive, and solid thump. "Cyclone" is not related to any of the other tunes with this name. Just solid chunk!

Surf (Instrumental)

This wonderful cover of Lee Hazelwood's "Baja" is right up there with the best. The opening is like a shimmering intro to "Endless Summer," which is such a natural here. The tom toms create an exotic feel, the smooth bass floats atop a glassy lagoon, the second vibrato guitar provides a kind of shimmer, and the delicate lead is stunning. The arrangement is on par with Jon and the Nightriders' "Apache." The compressed fuzz break drifts smoothly through the night. Amazing!

Surf (Instrumental)

In another tip of the hat to Link Wray, the Surf Coasters do a power pummel of "Jack The Ripper" with more flair than just about anyone except maybe the Insect Surfers. Relentless rolling tom toms and thundering bass... it's hard to beat. The insane guitar slides and warbling distortion is insane... and glorious. Whew!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Riding High" is a newer song with a pumpin' fiery beat and rhythmic progressional lead line. It's all about the rhythm and works very well live. Quite tuff!

Surf (Instrumental)

Over the classic Surf Coasters backtrack sound, "Happy Easter!" floats melodic notes and double picked power surges. Big glissandoes and racing waves abound. Warm and summery, but not at all sappy. Great stuff.

Surf (Instrumental)

Yuzo Kayama and the Launchers's rhythmic and spirited "Black Sand Beach" gets a very strong facelift. Where the original was very much Ventures inspired, this simply rocks! Great track!

Surf (Instrumental)

The sea laps at the shore gently, then a scream! Suddenly, "Surf Express" launches into a classic Surf Coasters rage! Hyper aggressive, tom tom pounding thunder, and a great riff. Tuff is an understatement!

Surf (Instrumental)

Tribal drums and a guitar jammin' off the hard drivin' riff make for a non melodic, but very powerful track. Loud, fast, thundering, and sporting a glorious break. To call this tribal magic is less than enough. "Jaws Break" is pure unadulterated surf energy.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Fly Up" is a pretty raw instro, with quite a bit of edge, and a sorta semi-fuzzy sound. Non-surf instro. I don't think it should have been the opener. In live form, it's a mighty powerful piece. You can feel the floor shake and the walls bleed.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is the 1994 take, and it reminds me just how much these guys have always rocked! Totally stoked!