Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Surf-Liners - Originalsdotdotdot
artworkThe Surf-Liners are gradually working on their debut album. This unreleased cassette sports 10 tracks that taunt the future, all captured live. No, it's not available, but perhaps the descriptions here will hasten the day they issue their CD.
Picks: Linguini Beach, Steamer Lane, Rincon Tiki, San Onofre Meltdown, Shark-fin Soup, Charlie Don't Surf, Five-iron, Ambulance Chaser, Realto Rendezvous, Neale's Long Ride

Track by Track Review


Linguini Beach dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Presenting out in a soft shimmering mood through vibrato and a lush melody, "Linguini Beach" is very smooth, and influenced by the spaghetti western genre, while dripping surf. This would be gorgeous documented in hi-fi stereo.

Steamer Lane dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This fluid surf track moves like an eddy, flowing with undulating rhythm and an optimistic sound. Double picked guitar and lots of fine glissandoes. The melody feels like SoCal surf, giving the track an infectious sunny day appeal.

Rincon Tiki dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

On the soft side of the sea, this very pretty tune ripples with vibrato and a nod to the lighter end of the Sandals' set list. Sunny tropical lagoon afternoons drift across your daydreams here. Really cool.

San Onofre Meltdown dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A catchy melody line hiding a kernel of the idea behind the Astronauts' "Surf Party" and refined energy coupled with glissandoes... this is surf.

Shark-fin Soup dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

"Shark Fin Soup" splashes in a moody minor key and is bathed is whammy and reverb. This is a pretty infectious number, with lots of surfable tone and notes.

Charlie Don't Surf dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

This is not a cover of the Clash's surf epic, but it does sport an eerily similar moodiness. "Charlie Don't Surf" is almost a dirge, with low note pathos and delicate damped picking over distant tribal bass and drums.

Five-iron dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Never was the green like this. Very aquatic damped reverbed notes plucked with a nod to the Citations. This is quite cool.

Ambulance Chaser dotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A swift kick of the reverb, sirens blaring, and you're immediately hooked into "Ambulance Chaser." Tribal drums, splashy rhythm, and a nifty riff. A start-stop pattern drives this.

Realto Rendezvous dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

Slow shimmering softness oozing vibrato and moody bass. "Realto Rendezvous" harkens to an evening at Dave Myers' pad... I say that because the vibrato and structure could have come from his pen, in a similar vein to Dave's "Driftin'." Very suave.

Neale's Long Ride dotdotdotdot
Surf (Instrumental)

A delicate intro leads to a rhythmic pumped up stretched out ringing chord progression before the guitar drops into a playful and very cool damped reverbed double note lead. This will turn out to be a great track in the studio when the time comes.