Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Whys - Surf Operadotdotdotdot
artworkThe Whys are a female surf trio from Japan with quite a bit of flair. If the Trashwomen had ever gelled as good players, they might had arrived here. Very cool release.
Picks: Minato De Sasareta Otoku, Top Secret, Bubble Beat 13 Percent, Clump Of Beach, Satsujin Taiyo, Flashing Eyes, Ebola Beach, Surf Addict, Surf Opera, Wipe Out

Track by Track Review


Minato De Sasareta Otoku dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

High speed circular riff surf flies about the room as the bass and guitar play off the same melody line. Beefy and punchy, with lots of energy!

Top Secret dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Top Secret" is a slow and tortured song in the beginning, but quickly it speeds up and drops into a fairly non-melodic riff rocker with reverb. Lots of energy, but not very memorable.

Bubble Beat 13 Percent dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This semi-exotic surf cruiser is a moody and sort of garage sensual track with an ominous slither. Great guitar and drama. Water gurgles throughout.

Clump Of Beach dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The melody here is not very surf-like, maybe more bluesy, but cool nonetheless. Great reverb and splash. Somewhat moderate, but also powerful at times.

Satsujin Taiyo dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Big thrash and a quirky bass line. This circulating number seems like a cross between non-surf instro and curl destroyer. Mighty fun.

Flashing Eyes dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a great and thrashy cover of one of Dick Dale's coolest instros. Full of fire and flash, with a rock solid rhythm section. Wonderful!

Ebola Beach dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Ebola Beach" slowly rises to a Dick Dale-ish number. The catchy riff is fun and very 1963.

Surf Addict dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A fuzzy bass and dark reverb with thundering tom toms. "Surf Addict" is a dangerous and menacing song with danger at every bridge. Big and threatening.

Surf Opera dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The CD's title track is dangerous in an unusual way. Thrash and tubular collapse, and moody intensity. Very cool!

Wipe Out dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Surfaris' classic "Wipe Out" is OK, but a long way from great. It's a very hard song to cover well. The guitar's reverb works, but it seems to lack the chemistry of the original.