Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Brillantina's - Pulp-A-Mandrilla
 | Spain's Brillantina's new CD is finally released. Much more interesting and well developed than the first CD, Pulp-A-Mandrilla contains some really good tracks. |
Picks: Hold On, Gardens Of Atacama, Noire Parranda, Magnolia Ice, Nessuno me puo Giudicare, El Vicio Perro, Lindo Pulgoso, Burlesque de Rhumba, Klezmer Queen of Swamp, Nous ne Somme pas des Anges, Da Cruela Sun
Track by Track Review
Hold On
Frat (Instrumental)
"Hold On" is a frat rock progression with whirling organ and crunchy fuzz, with line-by-line chants of "hold on" from the girls. It's a long way from here to melody, and aside from the sing-along chunk attraction, it's completely forgettable.
Frat Surf (Instrumental)
Grumbly and gutty, with surf and vibrato throb, tom tom wail, whammy intensity, and thick sound. "Gardens Of Atacama" is not melodic, and the riff does not vary, yet the thick tribal chunk and innocent throb are very appealing. Rhythmic and almost cowboy like.
Frat Surf (Instrumental)
Within walking distance of Johnny Otis' Bo Diddley derivative "Willie and the Hand Jive" with a kind of frat surf charm. String slides and chokes, chunky chords, and rhythmic enchantment. There's no melody, but it's still tuff and fun.
Frat Surf (Instrumental)
Like a lumber reinvention of "Old Smoky," this meanders through behemoth restraint and harsh twang like romance was just a power chord away. Funny how well this works, given its simple nature and low brow charm. maybe it's the long slow string bending that makes it whine like a rebounder.
Cowboy Surf (Instrumental)
Ringing chords and western skies in the morning, with a rooster crowing and a cactus ride ahead. Once past the slow intro, it shifts into a cowboy's gallop. Very cool song.
Frat Fuzz (Instrumental)
Lumbering frat fuzz and organ churn for cruising down the boulevard on the way to that big frat party in the sky. In some ways, it hints of the Wailers. Tribal and undulating, "El Vicio Perro" is really cool for a frat based number.
Frat Twang (Instrumental)
Ultra twang riffs and country edge, with stinging twang and big Austin drive. "King Bee" noodling and frat progression charm.
Rock (Instrumental)
The slow fuzz lines against the dry chopped chords carries "Burlesque de Rhumba" lumbering down the ally on the way to the runway. It doesn't bump and grind, but it sure seems like it's on its way to the seedy side of the tracks.
Frat Klezmer (Instrumental)
The organ gurgles like a sick puppy as the undulating Klezmer beat pumps behind. Not just disturbed, but down right unnerving, yet attractive as if you can't turn away. Quite interesting.
Nous ne Somme pas des Anges Open Sky Surf (Instrumental)
This is a fluid piece, with a melody that drifts down the wide river through the big country. "Nous ne Somme pas des Anges" is pretty without being wimpy, liquid with guts, and very nicely phrased.
Spaghetti Western (Instrumental)
A spaghetti western whistler and swimming chords foretell of the stranger with the stogie in the serape riding in the rain. melodic and menacing, sad and whammy powered. In some ways, it reminds me of a more delicate version of 999's "Wild Sun." Very cool!