Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Longboard Ranch - Surfin' Out West
 | This is the first release from Longboard Ranch. It must have been a long time in the making because it's 22 tracks are very good. If your a fan of the trad surf style, this CD is worth seeking out.
Longboard Ranch 2005 are Bruce Duncan - guitar, David Kaufman - guitar, Loyd Davis (ex-Surf Raiders) - guitar, Doug Appleton - drums, and Chris Ireland - bass. Rob Woosley (Detonators) was a member in 2000 as well. Founded in 1998 by Bruce Duncan and Doug Appleton, Longboard Ranch have focused their sound on the vintage sound of the original era, in both their writing styles and aural presentation. |
Picks: Undercrushed, Sinbad The Surfer, Scuba, Crystal Cove, Ranch Retreat, Expedition To Saturn, Behind The Wall, Re-Entry, Wave Walkin', Dave's Wave, Reef Shadows, County Line, Badland's Rider, Toucan, Rumble At Trestles, Boneyard Brawl, Black Bikini, Surf Cruiser, Treasure Cove, Nuevo Durango, One Leg, Todos Los Santos
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Crisp traditional sound underpins "Undercrushed," which sports a very simple and very effective melody riff. It's quite infectious, with great rhythm and a tuff surf beat. A little menacing, but mostly powerfully optimistic. The glissandos are just too cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Middle eastern scenes unusually implemented, with a mysterious melody line and a sense that something is about to happen. It's a great adventure at the Oasis, with rich whammy chords and fine drums.
Surf (Instrumental)
Tuff and rhythmic, with exotic haunted organ and damped surf guitar. It has quite an allure about it. "Scuba" sounds more like horror surf than aqua lung adventure. Maybe I'm just expecting that Surf Piranhas' "Skin Diver" sound from the title.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a pretty nice track, with a catchy riff and dribbling double picked guitar. Fine reverb sound and a sense of adventure, with whammy chords and island mystery.
Surf (Instrumental)
Playfully meandering the neck, open notes play call and response with damped reverb picking, and the break is dark and powerful. The structure and melody idea are unique and very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
With a sight nod to "Out Of Limits," the intro/bridge riff divides somewhat moody melody lines from one another. A little guarded emotionally, yet pretty cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
A little James Bondish in the instro, spyish throughout, "Behind The Wall" is a nicely done surf track. The use of double picked couplets is kinda cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Re-Entry" is sparkling and playful, with nods to the Surf Raiders sense of play. It captures the sun dancing on the the water an hour or so before sunset. Bright and invigorating.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Surf Raiders' magnificent "Wave Walk'n" comes back to life with Lloyd Davis' guitar. This is a fine recording of this second wave instro. It's full of sparkle and bounce as it should be. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Reverb riff rockin' fun here. Grumbly surf crunch in the mold of retro rockabilly reinvention. It's the sort of song the Cadillac Angels might do.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a soft and suave instro projecting the soft light of dusk on a rippling lagoon as viewed from the sands of a black sand beach. Quite pretty.
Surf (Instrumental)
"County Line" rises very slowly from the surf, with an infectious semi-guarded melody line. It captures the spirit of the early morning search for surf. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
A bit of the cactus ramrod ride the waves on a black saddle. Twang and surf, reverb and leather. Nice track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Toucan" is a moderately paced surf instro with a very cool bridge and a Spanish exotic feel. Bright feathers and reverb.
Surf (Instrumental)
Optimism and subtle danger cohabit "Rumble At Trestles" like brother and sister. A little menace, a touch of fight-or-flight, rumbling drums, and survival of the fittest. Yup, it's kinda like that.
Surf (Instrumental)
Grumbly circular rumbling, double picked adventure, smooth delivery, and drama. "Boneyard Brawl" is a fine example of why surf is so cool - a simple melody line pristinely reverbed and very rhythmic.
Surf (Instrumental)
Worship the curves, clung to by the "Black Bikini." Where there's surf, there are bikinis. It's not just a good idea, it's the law! A fine instro, with a dribbling double picked homage to the fairer sex.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surf Cruiser" uses damped reverb rhythm very well, and sports an excellent melody riff, particularly when damped. Excellent guitar and drums glissandos. Fine stuff!
Surf (Instrumental)
An delicate and fluid melody from Reverb Island takes you on a warm afternoon journey along the Kona Coast. Totally cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Wow, "Nuevo Durango" has a really suave melody line. The restrained and delicate delivery is too cool. Surf and liquid sun along a lonely stretch of beach. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
Damped reverb plucks out an unusual song with a slightly demented feel under its sinewy Fender tone. Quite a fine track.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Todos Los Santos" is a very intriguing track. Bas and drum thunder gently grumble under a really cool melody line played with surf-perfect tone. Glissandos and whammy, and tribal thunder.