Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Wet Tones - Mucho Reverbo
 | Well now, this is one fine CD. I liked the earlier work from the Wet Tones just fine, but this is spectacular! Great original writing, exuberant energy, and fine playing. Surf's up! |
Picks: Mr. X, Bikini, Apache Trail, Playa Piranha, Lightning Strike, Bonecrasher, If I Had A Hammer, Tropicana, Surfin' The Casbah, The 9th Wave, Mucho Reverbo
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Rich shimmer from vibrato and warmth from whammy, along with echoed delay, provide an inviting sound for "Mr. X" and his minions. Fast and flowing in a European sense.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Bikini" is a slinky kind of song with a warm sound and unusual chord progression. The bridges are very cool, and the main verses attractive. Great drums and a solid pattern that's endearing and engaging.
Surf (Instrumental)
Indian chants and drums give way to big twang and wet surf dribble. Big whammy dipped chords like Richard Podolor used in "Ridin' The Woody," which interestingly enough was originally called "Red Skin." This is a fine instro in the Indian motif tradition. Great track!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a splendid original song that portrays happy times at the beach as the sun sets. "Playa Piranha" is a playful sunny instro with the kind of joy that Da Surfones like to play with, but much more reverby and coastal.
Surf (Instrumental)
Vibrato shimmer and big stinging chords... Then the thunder is heard and the drums bring forth a wonderful damped surf extravaganza of liquid springs and twang. I must say this is a very original song with a great beat and attractive sound. Magnificent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Vibrato charm, nearly dribbled watery double picked lead lines gently flow across distant curl as seen from a coastal highway at sunset. "Bonecrasher" is a great track with a happy disposition and open road energy. Very infectious!
Surf (Instrumental)
Who'da thunk (as the saying goes)? This is brilliant! Never did I expect that a great surf instro was hiding in the weeds of this classic folk song. Playful, happy, adventurous, and just plain fun! You have to hear this! Amazing!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Tropicana" may call to the hotel or the way of life... it doesn't matter. It's bouncy and playful, exuberant and stylish. Great island surf for cruisin' down surf route 101.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is one of several surf instros that use the classic melody you may know from the Temptations "Egyptian Surf," or the Surf Raiders' cover for that matter. A few lines from "Bat Man" and a stop-restart break add interest. Very nice!
Surf (Instrumental)
Spanish acoustic guitar, great tribal drums, heavy thunder, and raging double picked surf guitar. This isn't the Ventures' "Ninth Wave," not in sound nor energy nor structure. This is heavy duty rippin' surf, the kind that comes outside in the middle of a tropical depression.
Surf (Instrumental)
the title track to the CD is a four-minute epic of beauty and surf richness. Damped guitar, long open notes, rhythmically interesting and dramatic. This is a strong and interesting track with great ideas and execution. Warm and adventurous, and rich in surf dreams.