Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The X-Rays - Senseless Acts Of Surf
 | Atlanta's X-Rays first release is totally solid, and sports one of the great titles! 15 studio tracks and 2 live cuts, all very well played. The music is more than traditional, but well within range. Excellent writing and solid straight forward production. Thoroughly enjoyable. |
Picks: Nichol Beer, Baja, Gargoyles!, Tybee Island Sunset, Bombora, Boofin', Hell Hole, (Ghost) Riders In The Sky, Surf! (You Turkey), Durango Beach, 2nd Helping, Endless Summer, How The West Was Surfed, Apache, Cruisin' (With Her Top Down), Pink Panther, Miserlou
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Whammy chords and a melody that has been used in the last couple of years, but I can't quite place. Very cool and surfy, with a splashy optimism, "Nichol Beer" is enticing and very enjoyable. A great track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a splendid damped reverb fest of a cover of the Astronauts' version of "Baja." Clean, chunky, and rhythmically engaging.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is rich in surf and steeped in vibrato charm. Sparkling and bouncy, "Gargoyles!" hints at glassy walls.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is one beautiful island vision of sunset on a lagoon... gorgeously liquid and exotic. "Tybee Island Sunset" plays to the warm tropical breezes and wahines in sarongs.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Original Surfaris' signature tune is rich in reverb and whammy charm. Solid and drenched in the springs, "Bombora" is less intense than the original, yet charming and engaging. Quite nice!
Surf (Instrumental)
The intro is related to the Sandals' song "Scrambler," but quickly drops into a fluid riff punctuated by semi-goofy whammy chords posted over tribal drums. The slide guitar makes it really stand out. Way fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Hell Hole" is rhythmic and a little on the country open road side. Infectious and fun, it invites you on a ride with the top down along a desert coastline at sunrise in search of the perfect wave.
(Ghost) Riders In The Sky Surf (Instrumental)
Based on the Ramrods' arrangement, but whammified and reverbed, "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" is rich in surf. It's rhythmically interesting due in part to the acoustic rhythm guitar, and the slightly soft approach. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Like a military march set against a middle eastern riff, "Surf! (You Turkey)" is unusual and exotic. Originally titled "Camel Jockey," it's an adventure across the white sands towards the oasis, with the thin line of the Foreign Legion snaking across the dunes as the sun is high overhead.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very fluid melody line, rhythmic and infectious, with a wonderful gate. "Durango Beach" will do very well on the open road along the coast. Very good writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
"2nd Helping" is more like an old school riff tune, though the riff is more rolling and modern. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a silky soft version of the Sandals' classic film score. "Endless Summer" is very smoothly done, and a bit different from other versions, while staying close to home.
Surf (Instrumental)
Touches of spaghetti western, bits of the open range, and the smell of kelp. "How The West Was Surfed" seems to grow on you after a few listenings.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pretty straight arrangement of Jerry Lordan's "Apache." It's like Jorgen Ingman's version, surfed up, and less the string swipe arrows. The tribal drums and damped notes are very cool!
Cruisin' (With Her Top Down) Surf (Instrumental)
What a great title! Images of warm breezes caressing... oh, yeah! Definitely an open road experience, with optimism and sparkle in the eye. Totally infectious!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is an unlisted live track. The guys are funnin' on the quirky film theme. Very fun.
Surf (Instrumental)
Another unlisted track, this live take of "Miserlou" rocks 'em and socks 'em. Rock solid performance. It's Dick Dale's classic single arrangement, less the trumpet. Quite chunky.