Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Corals - Rock! Corals Rock!
 | The Corals were a French band from the early eighties. They look pretty young, and the recording shows it. The performance and most of the writing is very high school, and the sound is thin and demo-like. Little or no chemistry is evident, yet there are a couple of noteworthy tracks. |
Picks: Rollin' Coral Reefs, Fire For Sale, Three Steps To Rock, Southern Memories, Devil Corals Blues, King Of Strings, Rock Corals Rock!, Rattling Boogie, Walking Guitar, Spring Time Rock, 47 Annequin Stomp, Diamond Reef
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a little more than a rock instro, and a little less than surf. The twang is pretty close and the riff not far off, and despite the demo drums, "Rollin' Coral Reefs" is a simple sub surf instro with an innocent island warmth.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Fire For Sale" is a fifties style instro, like maybe something from Owen Bradley. Bouncy and fun.
Rockabilly (Instrumental)
This is very much a typical light weight rockabilly instrumental. Nifty riff, but way too repetitious.
Rock (Instrumental)
"Southern Memories" is a warm countrified tune in the style of Southern rock roots. A decent melody that is reminiscent of the Shadows. Comfortable.
Blues (Instrumental)
This is a slow blues with early rock tone. Aside from the gimmicky echoed lines, it's just a blues progression.
Rock (Instrumental)
Like a clean backtrack to King Uszniewicz and the Uszniewicztones' "Surfin' School," this doesn't really go anywhere. It's just a pleasant backdrop.
Rock (Instrumental)
Extremely amateur writing and a desire to rock doesn't quite add up. Not much French music rocks or swings, as this illustrates. It seems like an intellectual interpretation of Link Wray's poor relations.
Rockabilly (Instrumental)
"Rattling Boogie" is a primitive B-side guitar boogie. Bouncy and fun, but not memorable at all.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a warm island kinda tune, with a very simple friendly riff and basic surf beat. The sparseness is what makes it work. Pretty fun stuff here.
Cowboy (Instrumental)
Cowboys on corn liquor prancing with plaid "ladies" looking for a good time. The childlike fifties simplicity almost works.
Rockabilly (Instrumental)
A basic rockabilly stomp, played in much too restrained a fashion. Bouncy, but very high school.
Surfabilly (Instrumental)
"Diamond Reef" is a very friendly riff rocker with one foot in surf and one in rockabilly. While pretty amateur, it's also infectious in its own way. Nice little track