Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Collection: Drunkabilly Labelsamplerdotdotdotdot
artworkAll of these tracks have been out before, but much of the music here is not commonly available, and is also not pedestrian. This CD is actually disc two of the Fifty Foot Combo CD single Jennifer Jennings.
Picks: TripleXpresso, Dr. Evil, Thee Mighty Jaws, The Escape, Space Run, Hara Sutra, The Legend Of Hanau Eepe, Facile A Boire

Track by Track Review


TripleXpresso dotdotdot
Go-Go Groove (Instrumental)

Thick fuzz, drum thunder, bass grumble, and organ whirl. Circular and slightly exotic, the track meanders through a relentless progression. Changing dynamics keep it from being repetitious. The tribal bridges are the best part.

Dr. Evil dotdotdot
Thrash Surf (Instrumental)

Major fire and drive interrupted by sixties styled surf riffs and semi-delicate bridges. Think Apemen without the melody. Cool song.

Thee Mighty Jaws dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The theme to Jaws, less screaming terror than the Surf Coasters version, but certainly dramatic and evil. It launches very gradually into the piece, with a restrained ringing surf guitar and thundering bass. Eventually, the drive of the guitar dominates. Many fine interpretive changes keep this interesting.

The Escape dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Thick and layered with surf chunk and pummeling, this is not really melodic, but it is riff driven and powerful. Just not melodic enough for me.

Space Run dotdotdot
Thrash Surf (Instrumental)

"Space Run" opens with a dramatic solo guitar and stereo surf chords, like a spaghetti western scene. After almost a minute, it becomes a double picked powerbar of two guitars and bass playing the same riff, separated by interesting surf chord interludes. At 4:50, it gets old before it's finished. Not melodic.

Hara Sutra dotdotdotdotdot
Primal Fuzz Surf (Instrumental)

Like a super fuzz flamenco, rhythmic and thick, with a really cool trumpet carrying most of the lead work. Super heavy guitar tone in the double picked mid section. Like a bull fight from the bull's point of view, this is just too cool! Brutal.

The Legend Of Hanau Eepe dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This mostly percussion track is exotica based, tiki spiced, poi flavored, and rhythmically powered. Big chord accents and a double picked melody line serve as a vehicle for the very cool drum work. The tiki torch is lit.

Facile A Boire dotdotdot
Mariachi Ska Surf (Instrumental)

A great ska beat and a mall organ dribble out this pretty tune. The track is oddly magnetic, especially given my general dislike for organ leads. The break sports a double picked dribble from the guitar that adds to the mystery. It's most unusual.