Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: Hodge! Podge! Barrage! From Japan Volume 2
 | Like the last volume, this readily available Japanese import contains 5 cool garage surf romps from various continents. Among the non-surf items of interest here are the Boatrampmen and Roy Loney. |
Picks: Boss, Everybody's Favorite Martian, Nut Rocker, Spider Stomp, Latin'ia, Ultra Man Ska, Louisiana Crawfish Stomp
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Boss" doesn't have the meanness and grumble of the Rumblers's original. The rendition is just pedestrian.
Everybody's Favorite Martian Surf (Instrumental)
Man or Astro-MAN? do a competent and energetic cover of Bobby Fuller and the Fanatics' most familiar surf tune. It's not just reverent, it's also tight and functional. Not up to the original, but darn listenable.
Garage Surf (Instrumental)
Surfin' up the B. Bumble and the Stingers arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite is a good idea, and this is well done. Infectious and very fun. Chunky and fluid.
Spider Stomp Garage Surf (Instrumental)
Ultra crappy recording of a basic riff rocker with too much delay and reverb, a few glissandoes and "Spider Stomp" occasionally inserted. A tosser.
Latin'ia Garage Surf (Instrumental)
This is just about the least interesting cover of Tommy Nuñes' "Latiña" I've ever heard. It's not that the arrangement that sux, it's the lo-fi sound that hides what sounds to be an interesting take on the tune. It's fast, with damped reverb out back. The drums are about a block away, and the tone is very dry.
Slushy Surf and Ska (Instrumental)
The surf guitar and ska horns, thick muddy sound, infectious ska rhythms, and lots of fun. It borders on big band in spots, and acid jazz in others. Unnerving and creative.
Cajun R&B (Instrumental)
Wearing other clothes, Santiago Tamura puts on a Cajun delight with this jammin' R&B number. It's not special, but it is kinda cool. Good accordion work and a rolling pace. The jazz guitar is almost surf in tone.