Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA | This is the Toads only album, courtesy John Blair. It was issued in 1964 on the Wiggins label. The Toads were Rog Hegeman - guitar, Pat Lynch - bass, and Dusty Streatch - drums, with Ben Kitchen - vocals. |
Picks: Morpheus, Movin', Stranger on the Shore, Sleepwalk, Baja, Will You Still Love Me?, Checkmate, You Can't Sit Down, A Love Affair, New Wrinkle, Penetration, Ebb Tide, Medley
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
An amazingly simple track that holds your attention despite the simplicity. Great wet guitars, and quite the obscuro.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very straight forward cover of the Astronauts' "Movin'," with only the added organ really setting it apart. More restrained than most, and enjoyable.
Surf (Instrumental)
Acker Bilk's sleepy "Stranger on the Shore" is bumped up a notch pace wise. The light weight performance is probably due to the "you play quiet, i make it loud" mentality of the recording engineer.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very pedestrian version of Santo and Johnny's "Sleepwalk." Slightly surfed up, but mostly just very pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
Every version of Lee Hazelwood's "Baja" is OK by me. The distant sound is a little like the Half Tribe of Manesseh version, though the arrangement is somewhat different.
Will You Still Love Me? 
Surf (Instrumental)
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" is a very slow and last-dance arrangement of the classic song. Interesting, but unmemorable.
Checkmate Surf (Instrumental)
Structure like a fifties b-side from a small Midwest town, "Checkmate" is more or less non-melodic. "Wipe Out" drums breaks are inserted, but really don't add much.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Dartells' "You Can't Sit Down" is more about the drums than anything else. Small combo garage surf at best.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very sow and pretty song, with a slightly sad feeling. A perfect last dance number with a nicely written melody line.
Surf (Instrumental)
Echoed and oddly written, "New Wrinkle" is a new wrinkly in structure. Original yes, but cool... well, not exactly.
Surf (Instrumental)
A simple and reverent cover of the Pyramids' "Penetration," with good energy and a kind of quiet power. Great drums and real surf fell.
Ebb Tide Surf (Instrumental)
The old standard is softly gushed with teenage romance in mind. Pretty, but unremarkable.
Surf (Instrumental)
This medley includes "Money," "Wipe Out," an original jam, and "What'd I Say." All are OK, and with a little more energy, might even be cool.