Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Husky and the Sandmen - Arabian Nights | A 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
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 Organ Surf (Instrumental)
Organ lead over a great surf bed a la "Penetration.".. wait! This IS almost "Penetration."
Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy lead lines and a nice structure, marred only by the Quadraverb-heavy mix.
Surf (Instrumental)
An unusual arrangement of the oft-covered Fender Four tune. The melody is slightly incorrect. Good performance.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a nice tune, with a good arrangement, but as before, the mix detracts from the effectiveness.
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.
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 Link Wray Organ (Instrumental)
Link Wray's organ tune.
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.
Surf (Instrumental)
A "Batman" riff intros this killer performance and bloody assault. Too bad the drums seem almost in another room.
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.
Ventures Whammy Surf (Instrumental)
Wham opener and a Ventures sound plus glissandoes. Pretty cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
An interesting rhythmic track that reminds me of the Half Tribe's arrangement of "Baja." This one sucks you in.
Surf (Instrumental)
Shimmer and an almost "Endless Summer" melody and arrangement. Very nice summer day music.