Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | There are some fine tracks here, brought to life more often by the drummer than the band, which plays in a fairly restrained fashion much of the time. Still, there are some brilliant moments, especially for early sixties Europe where lighter delivery was the norm. |
Picks: Violents' Theme, Riding Guitars, Boa Constrictor, Andalucia, Bandido, Alpens Ros, Ghia
Track by Track Review
Presurf (Instrumental)
there's reverb in them thar notes... much like in The Fireballs' sessions. Apart from that, "Violents' Theme" is also Fireballs-like via the melody and rhythm structure. Upbeat and infectious. Great track.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Anaconda" is one light weight number in the mold of commercial guitar hits of the day, with echoed sustain in dominance. very well played, but not particularly authentic sounding.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Riding Guitars" is much like many of the tracks in this genre - heavily influenced by Hank Marvin. Lovely guitar playing and whammy, and a light sound.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Boa Constrictor" floats on long tape delayed notes and pumping bass lines. It's bouncy and fun and nicely arranged, especially the super delicate muted break.
Rock (Instrumental)
Ernesto Lacuona's lovely melody is sultry and sinewy here, with exotic percussion at times, and a very fluid sound. Some very tasteful drum work fills out the sound. Very cool!
Presurf (Instrumental)
There's a bit of a Jet Harris and Tony Meehan sound in the ultra deep guitar. "Bandido" also has touches of surf lurking in the corners. Lush, exotic, and quite cool.
Rock (Instrumental)
A polka beat behind a traditional melody, only set apart by great drums. Kinda cool, and it grows on you.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Cindy, Oh Cindy" is very poppy, and the harshly echoed muted guitar, while unusual, doesn't seem to add to the track. The drums are tribal cool, and the feeling of the song is a bit island sunset.
Trink, BruDerlein, Trink! 
Rock (Instrumental)
Great drums rock while the band floats gently on an easy listening platform with guitar echo. The drums are too hot for the arrangement, as if the drummer is rocking while the others hold back.
Monkey Serenade Rock (Instrumental)
"Monkey Serenade" is playful in the light pop way major studio guitar records were back in the days before surf. Almost frothy.
Rock (Instrumental)
The drums here remind me of early Dick Dale live material. The rest of the track is less lively. Endless shouts, calls and laughs are induced to create a party atmosphere. Spirited, but dismissible.
Instrumental Rock (Instrumental)
Big gong openers and closers, with guitar sounding very Joe Meek, and a melody that's a lot like a number of other British instros. Oddly enough, the drums play a surf beat at times, or maybe it's not so odd because this sounds very much like a relative of The Atlantics, just less intense.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Moonlight Walk" starts with moody bass, moves right into lush Euro guitar, and employs occasional flurries of muted notes. Very pleasant.