Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Los Straitjackets guitarista Eddie Angel recorded this pet project & issued it on the tiny No Hit label in the UK, then reissued it on CD in the US on Art Bourasseau's MuSick Recordings. The Eddie Angel's Dinosaurs's "Jurasic Beat" c/w "Caveman" single comes from this album. Over all sound is more garage than surf. Still, there's enough coolness and reverb in 4 of the tracks to please the most dedicated reverbivore. I am especially partial to ""Beyond Zone X." "Werewolf" is the great Frantics tune from the Pacific Northwest, covered more familiarly by the Ventures as "Fourth Dimension." With Eddie, simple progressions and very little melody doesn't mean boring. Eddie has always been able to carry off simplest non-melody tracks and make them shine! The recordings are lo-fi, not no-fi boom box bloody awful, just old single sounding mono.

Picks: Thunder, Police Raid On Toe Rag, Kawanga, Brawl, Caveman, Beyond Zone X, Werewolf, Itchy Chicken, Mumblin' Beatnik, Topless Beach, The Casbah, Jurasic Beat, No Money, Take It Off, Toe Tag Rumble

Surf (Instrumental)

Based on the Dragnet dum-ta-dum-dumb thing, this tune pays homage to the way fifties RnR instros were crafted, simple, familiar hooks, and a very basic arrangement.

Surf (Instrumental)

The same tune Los Straitjackets do, but very differently arranged, and totally trashed out for a raw beat club effect. The sad sax adds another dimension to it.

Surf (Instrumental)

The growling low down tune that Eddie issued as a single and Los Straitjackets do live. It is so simple, yet it has a primal energy and draw through its mean sounding guitar, right from the get-go with the ominous "Cave Man" utterance. This is the sort of thing I usually don't care for, with it's super simple almost melody free structure, but ever since I saw Los Straitjackets do it live, I've been hooked, so pardon my pleasure at this tune.

Surf (Instrumental)

The first and only appearance of surf on this CD, and its pretty darn cool. Oh, the fi may not be too hi, but the effect is utterly surf, and the twangage is endearing, especially when it yields to the glissandoes. Pretty bitchin' mid-tempo surf number.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Frantics did this, the Bottleups covered it, as did the Ventures (under the title "The Fourth Dimension"). Eddie and company have added a nifty hook in the rhythm guitar, and the over effect when combined with the even more evil werewolf howls is a leaner meaner track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Among the best of the Chicken Bop concept tracks, this is way fun whether Los Straitjackets or Eddie Angel's Guitar Party is laying it down. Reminds me of that Nissan ad where the old farmer comes back with his new car and clucks out the window at the chickens as he cuts donuts in the dirt lot. Makes you wanna buy a new set of overalls.

Surf (Instrumental)

Opening with the old "There's A Place In France...." melody, this quickly yields to some double picking between the melody bits. Major fun must have been had cutting this track, as it seems to ooze exotic prurient joy. "Come With Me To The Casbah" was originally cut by Gaminiam and his Orientals.

Surf (Instrumental)

The tune that Eddie Angel's Dinosaurs issued as a single is stretched to its limits here with howling and growling and thumping tom toms, and surfy twang. Very cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

Banking on talent alone, this R"B thumper is reminiscent of many an R"B backtrack, or even B-side from the late fifties / early sixties. It sounds to be influenced by the Barret Strong classic "Money." Perhaps that is the reason for the name. Cool, tribal drums, and fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

A stroll, with that Link Wray sense of sustain, surfy tones, and a "Rumble"-like break. Not as ominous as it's inspiration, but easily as interesting as Richie Podolor's like-inspired numbers. Cool way to end the CD.