Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Surf Trio - Safari In A Living Graveyard
 | Originally issued in '89, this CD is remarkably fresh to hear now. Many of the instros are similar to the magnificent stuff they have recorded for the TLC television series Neat Stuff. Vocally, I still prefer the work they did on the old Voxx album, but instrumentally, this is one solid CD. |
Picks: Skaterdater, Gold Beach, Mile Zero, Barbary Coast, Walking To Florida, Starlight Place
Track by Track Review
Skate Fuzz (Instrumental)
Speedily thrashed out version of Davie Allan's amazing tune from the film of the same name. Very solid!
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a very edgie chunky tune. Whammied suaveness, crunchy surfiness, melodic evil sounds. This is a fine track. It has much of the sounds of the Neat Stuff sessions, but also sports some more reverbed surf tones. It's very simple, but highly effective.
Surf (Instrumental)
Surf n' shred into the night. Similar in structure and sound to the TLC Neat Stuff sessions. The low-E double picked melody line is cool and to the point. Crunchy dark and double picked, this has a solid melody line, and a familiar feel. It's a simple progression that works really well.
Acoustic Surf (Instrumental)
Another interesting blend of influences in an instro that features an acoustic lead guitar. This is different sorta Surf Trio track. It sports elements of steel drum sounds, and dry thin guitar tones, but it just didn't grab me at all. It's light and happy, but also forgettable.
Spanish Surf (Instrumental)
Very nice guitar tones in an interesting traveling instro. Spanish mystery and rolling waves come to mind. Florida is a long way to walk from Oregon! Chunky, surfy, sad, ominous, and solid. The sustained piercing guitar tones are quite nice against the double picked crunchy lines.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pleasant track. It has a nice progression, and smooth tones. The whammy adds a touch of surfy slither, and the super high notes dribbled through the reverb are very cool too. It's a bit of a sleeper. On first listen, I just liked it, but I found it creeping into my head. Cool.