Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Volcanos - Finish Line Feverdotdotdotdot
artworkThe Volcanos continue to produce strong surf, riff driven as most trad was, and well arranged too. Played with flair and precision, the tracks on this CD will please anyone looking for modern trad. A solid CD.
Picks: Finish Line Fever, Doheny Dawn, San Andreas Fault, Brand New Board, Avalanche, Maverick, Pit Stop, Riverside Run, Custom Cruiser, Wave Beat, Kilauea, War Drums, Pompeii, Theme From Action

Track by Track Review


Finish Line Fever dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Solid surf sounds, with a riff played on various registers for variety, with that incredibly good Volcanos surf tone. This is infectious and chunky, and well worth a spin in the deck. The guitar work and sound are magnetic.

Doheny Dawn dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This mid tempo track has an optimistic tenor, a fine sense of the rising sun on the surf. Really solid musically, and interspersed with solid double picked lines that are opened with glissandoes. Infectious and forward looking.

San Andreas Fault dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

With a drum pattern that's right out of the Breakers' "Jet Stream," this guitar driven surf instro uses a more intense guitar tone and slides than the others here. Cool track.

Brand New Board dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a playful tune, somewhat reminiscent of the Challengers and Paul Johnson, with whammy and reverb. It's melodic and pretty.

Avalanche dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Opening with hints of "Moment Of Truth" and a fiery glissando, this quickly becomes a shimmering vibrato monster, with tribal drums and an infectious melody line. Quite nice! The extra long glissandoes are just too cool.

Maverick dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

With surf/spaghetti guitar tone, this fine tune speaks to the cowboy ethic in every surfer. It's played exquisitely, with wonderful double picked embellishment, and solid tone. A great track.

Pit Stop dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The melody line is sorta R&B, but with surf tones, rhythmic and chunky, and enjoyable.

Riverside Run dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Opening with drag racing sounds, then hints of "Mar Gaya," this quickly becomes a dramatic and melodic cruncher, with prancing guitar lines, and powerful drums. Fine tune.

Custom Cruiser dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This song uses a nice riff and solid surf tone to set a stylized surf romp sound. The plucking is fine, the playing great, and the track solid.

Wave Beat dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A Bo Diddley beat and a melody the likes of which Bo could have written (but didn't), this track throbs with tribal power and rhythmic drive. Great tom tom work, and infectious rhythms.

Kilauea dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Double picked, guitar driven, twang fired, and volcanically energized, this is one solid track. It doesn't evoke images of volcanos, but it is fluid and powerful. A fine track.

War Drums dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Low-E double picked intro, a spiffy trad surf melody line, and perfect surf tone. There's a real feeling of the vintage style with contemporary delivery, slightly more restrained and with a touch of spy flick guitar in the break.

Pompeii dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Double picked guitar and wham, powered by thundering drums, and energetic. Excellent lead work, supported by an in-sync backtrack. Speedy glissandoes. Nice track.

Theme From Action dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Chunky noodly lead lines, but plenty of energy and oomph. The interplay between the two guitars is really good.