Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Chum - The Dewey Decibel System
 | Chum's music is often more rhythmic than melodic, but has a highly intense and thick sound, sometimes downright threatening, Chum have developed into a gray-green storm surf band with a very strong delivery |
Picks: In The Green Room, Raptor, Turkey John (The Baptist), Cheater 5, Surf Pit, Indicator, Chick Fight, Surf Song, Troffin', What Up Beach, Huevos Azules, Spinout, Last Wave
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Big drums and hard driving double picked dry guitar race across tuff surf on a short board just ahead of the closeout. Gutty and powerful, with twang and tribal drums in the break.
Surf ()
Shouts of "Raptor" punctuate this frat rock styled structure. No melody, but chunky rhythms and noodly guitar breaks. The drums are great, particularly in the psycho break with it's narrative lines.
Turkey John (The Baptist) Surf (Instrumental)
This is kinda riffy. "Turkey John (The Baptist)" is more a progression and grind than a song. Not near as interesting as most tracks here.
Surf ()
A bit of spaghetti western, a rhythmic chord pattern, and a friendly feel, but only a wisp of a melody line.
Surf (Instrumental)
Guttural bass and dark howling guitar warn of dangerous winter surf at a place like Mavericks where death rides with you on your board. Long sustained distortion and string bending in a monster surf intro. About as minute and a half in, "Surf Pit" doubles the pace and breaks into a raging surf crasher.
Surf (Instrumental)
Fast and grinding out a dangerous vision, "Indicator" is not very melodic, but it's quite large and edgy.
Surf (Instrumental)
Big whammy twang and fast double picked low-E grind, with punk anger and intensity. Thick and dangerous.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surf Song" presents a moody low note slurry, short of melody, but with a progression that is ominous without being overbearing. A whammy watery feel and reverb.
Surf (Instrumental)
A long whammy chord intro and a progression with a Spanish edge opens this fine track. It's got the power and the edge, with intense drive and a nasty surf beat. "Troffin'" stays with you.
Surf (Instrumental)
With an almost Austin big guitar edge, "What Up Beach" sports big whammy chords and a driving riff that's catchy and cool. Dark, yet forward looking. Excellent.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a particularly nice track, with Spanish flair and tribal drums. It is both dangerous and intense, as well as adventurous and scenic in a "don't go there" kinda way. Tuff track.
Surf ()
Bass lines open... gradually yielding to a textured progression. The lack of a lead melody leaves "Spinout" flat.
Surf (Instrumental)
A soft guitar portrays a gentle seascape from a sunset beachhead. Very pretty, with a relaxed sound and friendly guitar line.