Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
Husky and the Sandmen - Arabian Nightsdotdotdot
artworkA fine first album from a band whose debut single peaked my interest a year ago. The music is superb, and the playing is high caliber. Only the production values are lacking.
Picks: Arabian Nights, Stargate, Four Stroke Stomp, Malibu Run, Sands Of Redondo, Suki Yaki Stomp, Surfin' Mosquito, Cross Ties, Tube Surfer, Batcave, Big Cyclone, Hot Line, Contact Breaker, Lonely Wave

Track by Track Review


Arabian Nights dotdotdot
Middle East Surf (Instrumental)

Nice melody with lots of shimmer and hints of the Middle East. The heavy rhythm and pulsing beat is sensual and powerful. "Arabian Nights" bears searching out.

Stargate dotdot
Organ Surf (Instrumental)

Organ lead over a great surf bed a la "Penetration.".. wait! This IS almost "Penetration."

Four Stroke Stomp dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Heavy lead lines and a nice structure, marred only by the Quadraverb-heavy mix.

Malibu Run dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

An unusual arrangement of the oft-covered Fender Four tune. The melody is slightly incorrect. Good performance.

Sands Of Redondo dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a nice tune, with a good arrangement, but as before, the mix detracts from the effectiveness.

Suki Yaki Stomp dotdotdot
Pop Lounge Surf (Instrumental)

OK, so they do a good job making this into a surf tune, but bad pop remains bad pop... I hate it when I want to hate a tune and can't.

Surfin' Mosquito dotdotdot
Ska Surf (Instrumental)

I hate the title. It's a simple progression played with enough flair to overcome it's repetitious nature. Exceptional ska and surf and drums vs. guitar interplay.

Cross Ties dotdot
Link Wray Organ (Instrumental)

Link Wray's organ tune.

Tube Surfer dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A great song with a dumb name and a poor mix. This coulda been a 5 star track with more sympathetic production. The tune is infectious and the performance is inspired.

Batcave dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A "Batman" riff intros this killer performance and bloody assault. Too bad the drums seem almost in another room.

Big Cyclone dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This track has the best sound on the disc, but still is way too ambient. Hot track, well played and fiery. A simple double picked tune.

Hot Line dotdotdot
Ventures Whammy Surf (Instrumental)

Wham opener and a Ventures sound plus glissandoes. Pretty cool.

Contact Breaker dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

An interesting rhythmic track that reminds me of the Half Tribe's arrangement of "Baja." This one sucks you in.

Lonely Wave dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Shimmer and an almost "Endless Summer" melody and arrangement. Very nice summer day music.