Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Neptones - Planet Of Surfdotdotdotdot
artworkThis first release from Houston's Neptones displays some very original writing. the production attempts a vintage guitar left, drums right thing that I don't think works very well, but the music is so strong that you don't really notice. Highly original.
Picks: Neptune Stomp, Journey To The Stars, Book 'em Bonzo, A Fistful Of Clams, Bluto Drives To Pluto, Bikini Atoll Beach Party, Planet Of Surf, Neptanya's Theme, Sandstorm, Majestic (La Mesa Grande), Myster X Y La Contessa, Ripcurl!

Track by Track Review


Neptune Stomp dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Neptune Stomp" is sports a very Eddie Angel-ish melody and structure. The break is like a whole other song. The drums are very cool, and the long shallow whammy chords rule. Rippin' glissandos and more round out this fine track.

Journey To The Stars dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This classic Neptones instro is all about the drums' thunder and the dark double picked rampage. Very nice cover.

Book 'em Bonzo dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

As you might guess from the title, "Book 'em Bonzo" leans on "Hawaii Five-0," but you'll be surprised that it is launched from the horn chorus, not the melody. This is a very interesting idea, and the drums simply rule!

A Fistful Of Clams dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Lovely flowing whammy chords echo the spaghetti western imagery. While not "For A Few Dollars More," the influence is there."A Fistful Of Clams" is haunting, dramatic, and feature sultry guitar, moody bass, horn-like keys, and great drums.

Bluto Drives To Pluto dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

More traditional surf styled, "Bluto Drives To Pluto" sports a presurf riff and rich reverb, solid bass and drums, and a very cool plinking piano. Quite fun, though the stereo mix is odd.

Bikini Atoll Beach Party dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a great song. It features some dirty choppy glissandos, warm afternoon imagery, and interesting arranging. Mixed oddly, it nonetheless satisfies and charms. "Bikini Atoll Beach Party" is sorta gentle - easy flowing - and has a number of cool reverb crashes.

Planet Of Surf dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Countdown... Then electro weirdness and a tick tock reverb rhythm pattern. "Planet Of Surf" is a very good track with a wholly original sound. This creeps up on you. I like it a lot.

Neptanya's Theme dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Neptanya's Theme" moves slowly through an island sunset, with moody bass and rim-shot drums. The haunted guitar paints a slightly sad picture of a quiet lagoon.

Sandstorm dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

The wind blows as "Sandstorm" begins. Exotic lurid drums and bass support a lovely guitar riff laden with gentle surf whammy chords. This sneaks up on you.

Majestic (La Mesa Grande) dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is a rich spaghetti western with horns and groovy surf guitar. Its surf beat and rolling bass make it very coastal, as does the muted verse and percussion. "Majestic (La Mesa Grande)" creeps up on you until you suddenly realize you're really liking it. This is a very nice track.

Myster X Y La Contessa dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Twin (by echo) guitars monkey with the riff from "Lucifer Sam" sorta. "Myster X Y La Contessa" is psycho-acoustic in its aural qualities, and haunting in its structure. This highly unusual track shimmers, throbs, mystifies, and captivates.

Ripcurl! dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Raw glissandos and surf riffology abound atop a classic surf beat and bass line. "Ripcurl!" could almost be a period piece, but it's straight outta today. Dark, longboard style, and engaging.