Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The Surfonics are from the Willamette Valley of Oregon, where the cows surf the big waves of grass. Their sound is damped and rhythmic, moody, occasionally gloomy, and minimalist in the same way that the Fireballs used to do things, but perhaps closer to the core idea of the Sir Finks. The songs have a magnetism about them. The CD ends with a cool surf instro called "The Beach Of Death."

Picks: Longboard Cowboy, Planet X, Eddie's Revenge, Boogie Board, Stonefish, Pyramid Rock, The Secret Sea, Mexican Sunset, Lil' Datsun, Vaquero

Surf (Instrumental)

A damped-rhythm semi-cowboy rhythm runs under this twangy and fun song. "Longboard Cowboy" is a very nice rhythm dominated instro that you hooks in. The melody is a moody and emotional thing.

Surf (Instrumental)

A great damped rhythm grumbles under the kind of minimalist instro that the Fireballs made work so well. dark and chunky with a bit of an Indian feel. A few references to "Apache" complete the picture.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Eddie's Revenge" is up-tempo, and very rhythmic. On the thick side, with a clear image of the curl. Lines from "The Munsters" bring into focus the reason for the title. If you were to surf up Eddie and the Munsters' "What Ever Happened To Eddie," you might arrive here. Very cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

Wow! "Boogie Board" is a great track! Damped, yet very powerful. This is a catchy and very cool number with rhythm at its heart. Vintage, but updated, with long twangin' shallow whammy chords. I like this a lot.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Stonefish" is a more jammy kind of song, with a simple circulating riff and a less infectious backtrack than most other tracks here.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a mysterious and very surfable intro. The Surfonics ride the flood waters of the Nile as Bedouin caravans pass in the distance. Middle Eastern sounding, and very cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a bit of a bluesy surf instro with a sad sound. Perhaps pensive, the moodiness of the track and the shallow whammy chords are its main attraction.

Surf (Instrumental)

A slow song shrouded in mist and gentleness. "Mexican Sunset" doesn't sound very Mexican to me, but it's very pretty and very smooth.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great drums drive pumped throbbing rhythms, beautiful chords shine, and the damped guitars chunk in a delicately tribal and rhythmic Synchronicity. Splendidly pulsing. Great tom toms.

Surf (Instrumental)

A fine combination of rhythms and tone, "Vaquero" is rhythm dominated and pulsing. While this is sure influenced by the Fireballs, "Vaquero" is not a cover of their song.