Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA  | The Windows are dead set on replicating the eleki surf sounds of '65 in Japan. These recordings show a band with a great deal of power and fire in their belly. Many of these tracks would be monsters, except for one thing. These great performances are dumbed down in lo-fi ambient recordings that are very low resolution and distorted, sapping the life out of them. Oh please, the Windows really deserve a great studio session. |
Picks: High Tide, Squad Car, Bikini Bra In The Surf, Surf Bound, XL-3, Time Bomb, Bombora, Devil Racers, Ali Baba, Gypsy Surfer, Mag Wheels, Falseta, Pipeline '65, Misirlou
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an appropriately rousing cover of the Lively Ones' "High Tide" in indiscrete mono. Its spirit is high, and its powered stark. Great energy and liquid whammy, coupled with spitting guitar.
Surf (Instrumental)
Paul Johnson's "Squad Car" is done with fire and spunk, though the ambient sound subdues what is an otherwise high energy performance. A pulled note in the opening gives a tentative feeling, but that is quickly forgotten as The Windows pump out the track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pumping and fiery track with a cool melody line and lots of fast picking. "Bikini Bra In The Surf" is just too much fun. It's the sort of track that begs for a decent studio session. This would scream for control in hi resolution sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Nevegans' superb "Surf Bound" is ably played with fire and exuberant shouts of "hey." This is a very rousing performance with a real sense of the original, but amped up.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Phantoms' classic "XL-3" is very well done, with screaming guitar work and a great rhythm section. Nice to hear this seldom covered instro powered out.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Avengers VI's often covered "Time Bomb" is played with raucous abandon here. It's a rousing performance in murky ambient sound.
Surf (Instrumental)
The ambient sound soaks all of the obvious fire out of this cover of the Original Surfaris' "Bombora." The performance is great - very vintage. Solid power and fire underlay the sound. The keys are really quite effective here.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Devil Racers" is dirty and nasty, with more power than melody. It's an aggressive performance with lots of flair and great drumming.
Surf (Instrumental)
One of my favorite obscuros is Dave and the Customs' "Ali Baba." This is very true to the intent of the single, with flying guitar lines, rising power, and ample spunk.
Surf (Instrumental)
Virtually no one has covered this Avantis' track. The Windows give it a solid go in much the same fashion as the single. Big flair and a soaring break.
Surf (Instrumental)
This classic is overlooked and in need of a really tuff cover. The Windows use Dick's original arrangement to great effect. This has to really hot live.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Falseta" is a tuff track with great surf cred and splashy guitars. The drums are wonderful, as are the guitar and bass work. A thoroughly aggressive and powerful song.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big throbbing tremolo gnarl bring on this ultra trashy version of Brian Carmen and Bob Spickard's classic. Reverbs crash throughout. A monster in waiting.
Surf (Instrumental)
Imagine that, a hard driving fire breathing very Dick Dale cover of Nicolas Roubanis' "Misirlou." Simply hot!
