Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

One of my fondest hopes has long been that the Halibuts would reissue their best album on CD. This is one step closer to that dream. Remastered with five bonus tracks added, and sounding sooo good, Live At Toes is still in que. Hope springs eternal... demand its release.

Picks: Mr. Mysterioso, Fiberglass M&Ms, Grunion Run, DonÕt Back Down, The Wet Spot, Shorepound, GBU, IÕm A Believer, Malibu Run, Centipede, Mr. Moto, Apache, Skinny Dip, Wham, LetÕs Go TrippinÕ, The Jester, Russian Roulette, The Cruel Sea, Moment Of Truth, Rumble At Waikiki / Squad Car

Surf (Instrumental)

Super chunky ska based surf, with sax lead on a highly infectious track. The melody is strong, and itÕs hard to stand still while they rave up on this number. The middle break, with the pure surf tone, comes to a stop before slamming back into the sax ska. On the second pass through the break, the surf guitar drops onto the low-E and sports numerous powerful glissandoes. Great track!

Surf (Instrumental)

Funny sorta tune, noodles around a few notes, and delivers a lot of energy. It has that jam feel to it.

Surf (Instrumental)

Stinging whammy, intense tones, full bodies fun. The organ slithers out a smart granny gone surfinÕ melody line. Spiffy fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Yup, this is classic Beach Boys surf raver, with a lead guitar instead of syrupy vocals. Tribal, thumpy, party fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Thundering surf, intense double picking, and ska sax lead lines. A really fine tune. makes you wanna find a party and a keg. Chunky and energetic.

Surf (Instrumental)

Totally killer dribbling surf rhythm guitar, and a ska based sax lead, except for the break, where a marvelous surf guitar carries the focus. Infectious, driving, and utterly rhythmic. Prefect for that drive down PCH.

Surf (Instrumental)

Easily the best surf version of this spaghetti western standard, with the coolest whistlerÕs organ anywhere. Great guitar, groovy pace, and chunky sound. This is a powerhouse arrangement and performance.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is always a hit with their audience. ItÕs a cover of the MonkeysÕ hit. I find it to be a bit too silly for my taste, but then I wasnÕt bombed and slipping and sliding on beer and gold fish crackers when I heard it.

Surf (Instrumental)

A sax lead and a major ska arrangement totally change the character of this Fender Four song. The thunder of the rhythm section is very strong, and the infectious percussion is brilliant. Very fine, complete reincarnation of a great lost classic from 1965.

Surf (Instrumental)

This track is much a backtrack... not particularly melodic or interesting, but still this band is of noble lineage.

Rock (Instrumental)

A slightly country rock instro, more swamp biker than Drew's earlier surf incarnations, and melodically shallower as well. Rhythmic and quite enjoyable - just a considerable left turn off surf route 101.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Exotics are from Wisconsin, and their cover of the Venturas' Corrido Twist is their best effort yet, though they still have quite a ways to go.

Surf (Instrumental)

From Portland, Satan's Pilgrims do an instrumentalization of the Trashmen classic vocal track "My Woodie," and it's quite good, though the recording is primitive. Lot's of energy.

Surf (Instrumental)

Lonnie MackÕs trademark big guitar instro, pretty darn true to form, just a bit reverby. fast, whammified, and infectious.

Surf (Instrumental)

Vancouver BC's Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol honor Jim Messina & the Jesters with a rousing version of Suspense Run. It's less hot than his previous output, but that still leaves it perched in the upper echelons.

Surf (Instrumental)

This performance of Jim Messina and the Jesters' great song is amazingly pristine and very cool. It's a double picked monster romping with energy. Just like you'd expect the Halibuts to do, there's only perfection in this track. Wow!

Surf (Instrumental)

The Halibuts make this classic obscuro shine. The Nevegans' original was a solid track, but in the clutches of the Halibuts in their home base tavern, it becomes electric and displays a grin. Way too cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

One of only a handful of period European instros that truly fell into the surf genre, Mike Maxfield's "The Cruel Sea" is treated with respect and surf reverence. Spirited and fender drenched, it makes for an infectious track.

Surf (Instrumental)

There just aren't enough stars for this. While it's based more on the Original Surfaris' version than the Dave Myers and the Surftones' version, it is also differentiated from the pack by Joey's sax leads and the pristine nature of the playing. The keys in the break also set it apart from the pack. Wonderful!

Surf (Instrumental)

John Blair inspired "Rumble At Waikiki / Squad Car" rocks its socks off here. John's sense of melody and reverence for the vintage sounds created a perfect vehicle for the Halibuts to strut their stuff with. Great glissandoes, sparkling melody lines, and chunky rhythm. Absolutely great! When it merges into Paul Johnson's "Rumble At Waikiki / Squad Car," the track takes on more power. What a great combo. Joey's sax reed siren is perfect too!