Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

I have one overriding comment. This band seems like a really good trad band with a solid drummer and great guitars. The mixes really limit the effectiveness of their material, both in studio, and on the live document. The music and the performances are great! This could have easily been a 4-star release!

These tracks are bass-heavy mono, slightly stereoized with reverb. Tracks 1-14 are the CD. The mixes are really bass heavy and leads way too low, restraining their hidden power. Tracks 15-26 are the live DVD. They are obviously live soundboard, with the lead guitar extremely low in al tracks. It's a cool visual document of a band doing the real thing.

Picks: Squad Car, Penetration, Pintor, Que Honda, Wave Walk'n', Mr. Moto, Dawn Patrol, The Wedge, Taco Wagon, Calhoun Surf, Skin Diver, Burnin' Rubber, A/A Fueler, Nite Surfer, Namu, Storm Dancer, Rumblin' Rod, Mr. Rebel, Soul Surfer, A Shot In The Dark, Fiero, Surfin' With The Sharks, Vaporizer, Surf Trashed, Que Honda, Blue Venus

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a very respectful version of Eddie and the Showmen's "Squad Car." The lead is played a lot like Paul Johnson intended when he originally wrote it. The delicacy of the guitar is refreshing, though it's a tad low in the mix.

Surf (Instrumental)

Reverb pumping as The Hodaddys perform The Pyramids' "Penetration." Where the Ventures monkeyed with string swipes, these guys employed glissandos. Rock solid.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a dripping reverb cover of one of the great Spanish flavored surf instros. The Hodaddys play with extreme reverence and wonderful watery tone. There are nowhere near enough covers of The Pharos' "Pintor!"

Surf (Instrumental)

Satan's Pilgrims' "Que Honda" is stomped out in fine form. An interesting modern cover choice, the song is just as cool as the original.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Surf Raiders' groovy "Wave Walk'n'" is a great choice for the style of The Hodaddys. The swimming whammy and gentle pace are just what they need.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a nice wet version of Paul Johnson's "Mr. Moto" with bass added. One guitar seems to work pretty well here. Very nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Deuce Coupes ' "Dawn Patrol" is an easy moving cover that suits The Hodaddys very well. The warm melody and sense of travel are nicely portrayed in their reverby sound. The lead guitar circles across the panoramic spectrum in the break.

Surf (Instrumental)

Covering Dick Dale and his Del-tones' version of Al Hazan's "The Wedge," the boys deliver a solid version with shouts and all.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a reverby cover of The De-Fenders' song, with a solid surf feeling and cool percussion. It's a very tasteful version.

Surf (Instrumental)

A lot of bands cover this, the first song Danny Amis ever wrote. This is more like the Los Straitjackets version than the Overtones' original. Fluid and fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a slightly softer version of t De-Fenders' "Skin Diver," with richer reverb. The song flows very well, and the quick little guitar sequences are very nicely done. Nice to see it covered.

Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Fuller's "Burnin' Rubber" is nicely done here. The bassiness does take away some of the energy. That aside, this is an excellent choice to cover, and is pretty friendly.

Surf (Instrumental)

"A/A Fueler" is fun instro with a cycling riff and splashy tone. The energy is good despite the lead being really low in the mix. A better mix would definitely bring another star.

Surf (Instrumental)

The Deuce Coupes' "Nite Surfer" is a wonderful choice. The galloping rhythm and liquid guitar as a great combination. Quite cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Namu" is a surf romp with a charging melody and sparkling edge. The false stops are cool, and spunk evident everywhere.

Surf (Instrumental)

Jon and the Nightriders' "Storm Dancer" starts with a chord and a reverb crash, and quickly pounds into a spirited cover. Damn, I sure wish this sounded better. Superb energy and chemistry.

Surf (Instrumental)

Arranged like Eddie and the Showmen's single, this performance of "Mr. Rebel" is really cool. Excellent double picking.

Surf (Instrumental)

Johnny Sudetta's sultry groove is washed in reverb and surf soul. Sparkling double picked bridges and excellent chemistry.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a spirited cover of The Fireballs' "Fiero," which is very reverent and tight. Nicely done in a wetter reproduction sort of way.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a totally cool original with a great moody melody and fast moving energy. Wonderful double picked sections and glissandos and sparkle.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a stompy number with a sort of frat rock feel. dark and moody and riff-centric, with great drums. Fun and cool.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great drums a la "Surf Beat" drive this slightly dark number. It's heavy and spunky and circular, with a tribal beat and primal energy.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a spunky take on Satan's Pilgrims' "Que Honda." Very cool energy and pumped party stompin' style.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is recorded very differently (probably not really live), in stereo, and with sultry tone. "Blue Venus" moves slowly and romantically, with grand dripping reverb, and loud Fender tone. Very nice track.