Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Collection: N.O.-Fi (a Live Documentation of New Orleans Garage / Surf / Punk)
 | Like the title says, this is "live documentation." It's all recorded live at the Mermaid Lounge in New Orleans, and so the sound quality is really varied. There are some worthwhile tracks here. I'd say that the Ramparts and the Leopolds need to get into a good studio and do some serious releasing. Included here are vocal numbers from the Persuaders ("Nervous Breakdown #5," "Left For Dead" and "Truck Stop Galactica"), the Darkest Hours ("You Can Have Her" and "Dedication"), the MacGillicuddys ("Don't Shatter My World" and "Pork Chop Cash"), the Royal Pendletons ("Shy Art" and "I'm Gonna Leave"), and the Leopolds ("Hurricane Storm Warning #2"). Tracks 20 through 27 are snippets from stage announces, mostly the sort of thing you have to be there for. |
Picks: Evacuation Route, Hurricane Storm Warning #1, Royal Blood Part II, Rampart Steel Twist, Boo Hoo Hoo, Tara, International Monster Presentation, Murder On The Spillway, Negative Space
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Dark evil double picked low-E surf guitar over a Leslie organ and throbby drums. A nearly melodic lead riff, and a large thundering sound. Mean and threatening, like an ominous "Third Star To The Left," but much thicker and more intense. Excellent!
Hurricane Storm Warning #1 Surf (Instrumental)
Melodic riffology, rock tones, and an impending storm surf structure. The guitar goes through several effects, including tasteful use of wah-wah. "Hurricane Storm Warning #1" would do well to be cut correctly in a good studio.
Royal Blood Part II Frat Rock (Instrumental)
This is just a noisy frat rock rant, messy, thick, and more about energy than music. It has the character of many Northwest singles from the sixties.
Rampart Steel Twist Frat Rock (Instrumental)
A little fifties riffage, some churchy Northwest organ, and a thick sound characterize this frat rocker pretty well.
Garage Surf (Instrumental)
The heavy punkoidal surf trash of Famous Monsters with interspersed cries of "Boo Hoo Hoo." Not much musically, and very sloppy. It reminds me of some of the Trashwomen releases. Lots of energy compensating for minimal writing and playing.
Surf (Instrumental)
Watery guitar instrumentalisms, with a slow romantic feel without the mush. This is a pleasant track, with the organ whirling under the guitar. The melody is pleasing in a poppy way. very nice.
International Monster Presentation Surf (Instrumental)
Chunky stop start non-melodic garage... interspersed with girl chants. Nothing original or memorable here.
Surf (Instrumental)
Heavy reverb kicking danger, thundering bass below, evil shadowy low-E surf guitar. Mostly a dangerous riff, but definitely mean. The whirling organ adds to the weirdness and spy feel.
Surf (Instrumental)
Very tasty ideas here, interesting sounds and thick effected tone. The melody riff is a minimal progression, but it has a distinctive draw. It includes the closing "thank you's" and announcement of their seven inch release. Very interesting.