Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

The twelve inch version of this superb album has some different tracks for an essential enhancement to the CD. Wonderful music here!

Picks: Deep Holz, Shadow Beach, Oklahoma Liegt Am Meer, Der Ritt Auf Dem Tsunami, El Chulo, Rondo Venezuela, Menage A Tois, Sartana's Last Stand

Go-Go (Instrumental)

This is a totally fun track in the way The Neutrons (Wales) and The Halibuts (Manhattan Beach) always were, though the sound of Achtung Rakete is completely different. Infectious and go-go cool, with modern tone and instrumentation. The arrangement is rich with textures and interplay. It's quite an interesting blend of sounds.

Surf (Instrumental)

The keys play a surf beat and occasionally modulated weirdness, while guitar carries a tasteful combo run and delivers whammified surfability. Excellent drums and very supportive bass round out the sound. Lots going on here keeping this easy melody vibrant with change.

Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)

An excellent spaghetti melody plays hauntingly in the distance as "Oklahoma Liegt Am Meer" opens, yielding to crisper and rounder close-up sound. Great drums and bass provide a superb platform for the wonderful leads to sail from. Stinging whammy and adventurous arranging complete this fine track.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Der Ritt Auf Dem Tsunami" wears its grin like a badge of honor at times, and when double picked and whammied, it's a dangerous power surge. This is an excellent composition with a fine arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

"El Chulo" has a modern California surf sound and feel, with a fine melody line and layered guitar wizardry, which is enabled by a very strong rhythm track of guitar, bass, and drums. The sun and an almost Insect Surfers meet Pollo Del Mar structure make this a superb track!

Surfabilly (Instrumental)

The surfabilly rhythm and sound of "Rondo Venezuela" are really hard to dislike. Epic bounce , whammy curl, and glissando charm in a California coastal jump. All fun and coolness.

Surf (Instrumental)

The imaginative giggle of the arrangement brings a grin to "Menage A Tois" as it unfolds. Whammy, sunny sparkle, and delicate drama. Great drums, perfect bass lines, and wonderful interplay between guitar parts really capture you.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Sartana's Last Stand" is soft and delicate, with lovely moodiness and flow. Part way through, it accelerates and double picks for a more surfy sound. I found that it grew on me with repeated listenings. Pollo Del Mar fans will like this.