Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Dom Casuals - This Is The Sound Of
 | Dom Casuals present a fresh face on surf and dirge and garage. The songs are unusual and engaging, with a variety of tones and approaches. Mostly a little sad, yet curiously optimistic, the music here is clean and refreshing. 4 instros float amid 11 vocals, the coolest of which is "The Curse." Vocalist/guitarist Jaime McLendon describes their music as "Hugo Montenegro chatting with the Undertones at a party at Richie Valens' house." Personally, I'd say Ray Barretto messing with the tone of the Lively Ones at Buddy Holly's funeral. |
Picks: Theme: Cave, Catwoman, Gunslinger's Funeral March, Your Pretty Face
Track by Track Review
Fuzz (Instrumental)
Dark fuzz churns up the garage. The organ pumps a sixties gloom backdrop while the bass and drums relentlessly thump the beat. Watery like a damp cave, and thick. Ominous and cool.
Backwoods Twango (Instrumental)
Quite tweaky, with vibrato chords and delicate guitar twang, moving into a funky chicken bridge. "Catwoman" is slinky in a backwoods kinda way, with a grin throughout and a sorta eighties structure. Fun track.
Gunslinger's Funeral March Surf (Instrumental)
Taking its time to arrive via acoustic chords and ringing electric notes, "Gunslinger's Funeral March" eventually delivers a surf toned sub spaghetti mourner. Vibrato chords, shimmer, and a dark lumbering gate. By the time the horn comes in, the dirge has been established. very interesting track.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a slow and pretty piece, with an undercurrent of edge. Melodic and sad, with vibes playing the melody. Not just unusual, "Your Pretty Face" is engaging and entertaining. A little on the brooding side, but also optimistic.