Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Taikonauts - Surf Music From Outer Space
 | There are some very good things here. I know it's a style, but I found the use of sampled dialog often got in the way, and the lead-right, rhythm-left mix diminished the lead guitar's considerable power. Still, turned up to eleven, it works well and rocks your dark world. |
Picks: Panic in Pink City, Incident in Santa Fe, The Wrestler, Round 1, The Rafter, Bardenas Rendez-Vous, Comanche, The Mystic Initiation, The Fourth Dimension, Creeky Tiki in the Deepest Jungle of Gargula, Theme From Black Saddle, Hasta la Vista, Baby, Hava Nagila
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Panic in Pink City" is a dark surf instro with a classic beat and rhythm, and a grumbling melody line. Powerful and fiery, with sampled dialog in the middle. The song rocks and rips!
Surf (Instrumental)
The telegraph calls out while the spaghetti western melody portrays a bit of danger. The song is relatively unchanging, which makes the sampled dialog a relief. The break is very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Sounds of the ring ride above a dark guitar. The drums are very cool, and the song behind the sound effects very dangerous. Ominous and moody with a beat!
Surf (Instrumental)
The drum beat right outta "Squad Car" powerfully pounds the opening of "The Rafter." The guitar is double picked and dark-toned. Whammy chords and wailing sirens. Raucous!
Surf (Instrumental)
Sci-fi wind, delicate double picked guitar, rising ominous bass, and graveyard sounds... Then, the lumbering "Bardenas Rendez-Vous" threatens your nightmares. Big whammy chords and danger just ahead.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Centurions' "Comanche" with sampled dialog. Not as mean as the original, but just as dangerous. The guitar is more distant, creating a sense of space. Nicely done.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big whammy chords, cool drums, and an interesting bass line in this mid tempo song. On the dark side, with grit and interesting textures. "The Mystic Initiation" has some splendid moments.
Surf (Instrumental)
Wailing Theremin, and deliberate, menacing drums, along with grode bass, deliver a toned down cover of The Frantics' "Werewolf," which The Ventures covered under the title used here. Quite fun.
Creeky Tiki in the Deepest Jungle of Gargula Surf (Instrumental)
Great drums, rippin' guitar with whammy bar in action and double picking in command. The bass line is very interesting here. Dark and dangerous.
Surf (Instrumental)
The theme from the fifties TV series Black Saddle. Sampled dialog over much of it. The intensity of the lead guitar tone is a good fit for the melody. Quite nice.
Surf (Instrumental)
Sampled dialog and a very cool bass line, tremolo guitars, and a great beat. "Hasta la Vista, Baby" is a dark number with grit and charm. Powerful and captivating. The melody is moody and dangerous.
Surf (Instrumental)
The classic "Hava Nagila" gets a routine arrangement delivered in a tuff performance. The drums are the best part.
Surf (Instrumental)
Sample dialog and dark surf patterns over rolling drums. It's a CD ender.