Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Collection: The Rock-A-Hulas / Supersonicosdotdotdotdot
artworkThis split CD features 8 vocals and 1 instro from the Rock-A-Hulas and 7 instros from the wonderful Supersonicos. The Rock-A-Hulas garage frat stuff is OK if that's your bag, but not as interesting as their only instro here. There is also a vocal out at the end unlisted that's based on "Raw-Hide," and is pretty surfy. The tracks from Supersonicos are simply excellent. Half come from their Telekinesis CD, and the rest are new to release. The four star rating is for Supersonics.
Picks: Bloody Mary Stomp, Pipemind, Fenomeno, Beta Beat, Simpsons Theme, Melodion, Velvet Boards, The Cruel Sea

Track by Track Review


Bloody Mary Stomp dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The Rock-A-Hulas play a heavy frat rockin' grumbler like Eddie Angels might work up. Very simple and low brow, but interesting like "Cave Man."

Pipemind dotdotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

Two guitars trade off playing the melody riff while a third plays a damped surf rhythm and glissandoes. "Pipemind" is a short (:44) track with solid bass rumble and excellent drums.

Fenomeno dotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

Surf and frat chunk merge in a fun and adventurous song. "Fenomeno" is a little strange, a little frat-boy basic, slightly surf cool, and always interesting.

Beta Beat dotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

A very weird sounding percussion runs under the intro to "Beta Beat," which is a relentless number with nervous energy and intensity. Chunky and heavy, with surf charm and a demented darkness. Quite cool.

Simpsons Theme dotdotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

This is an entirely cool reinvention of the the theme to The Simpsons TV show. Sci-fi strange, inventive, and quite fun. You can't listen to this without a grin.

Melodion dotdotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

Another excellent song in a more or less traditional mold, though the bridges are a long ways from Balboa '63. "Melodion" is pretty, surf worthy, fluid, and rich. Some of the rhythm lines are very infectious, and the melody line is quite pretty.

Velvet Boards dotdotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

"Velvet Boards" is a slow and pretty vibrato charmer with a slightly strange edge. Like a beautiful scene that you just know is not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it. Very very cool!

The Cruel Sea dotdotdotdot
Psi-Fi Surf (Instrumental)

Mike Maxfield's often covered "The Cruel Sea" is done with reverence and style. Not really different than many other covers, but very good and with just a touch of eeriness.