Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Slacktone - Rough Surf, Rough Mix, Live In Berlin
 | This is a limited edition CD-R in celebration of Slacktone's 10 years together. The disc was produced for their 10th anniversary party. Powerful performances, as we've come to expect, captured raw and alive in Berlin, warts and all. The recording is marred by the stage mic not being turned off in time on several occasions, leaving the band sounding weak until it is cut, but the majority of the performances are so hot that it's worth ignoring! |
Picks: Coffin Closer, Bird Bone, PCH, Mysterioso, Longboard Legato, Surf Party, Daytona Mona, Rosarito 3-Day, Hawaii Five-0, The Bells Of St. Kahuna, Tiki Bar Crawl, Rell Sunn Aloha, Rumble At Waikiki, Penetration, Skateboard Commando, Hit Man, Tidal Wave, Miserlou
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
As always, Slacktone rip when they play "Coffin Closer" right from the dramatic opening progression, and especially when they launch into that signature Dave Wronski power shred. Amazing speed, and great glissando-chokes.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Bird Bone" flows like a torrent of muddy flood water racing to the coast. Dramatic and rhythmic, with great glissandos and pure liquid chaos. Rockin' water slide action!
Surf (Instrumental)
Slacktone's raunchiest number, with screaming from Dave and a speed jaunt down the Pacific Coast Highway. Always a thrill ride!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Mysterioso" remains a fave, with its great melody line and solid guts. Jazzy harmonics and gnarly rumble, pumping drums and thumping bass. Great stuff!
Surf (Instrumental)
The melody floats on silky whammy and precision. "Longboard Legato" is a very smooth song. It undulates and shimmies with liquid emotion. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
It's hard to make a song written for three guitars sound full on just one, but Wronski manages to do that! Dave actually misses a note or two here, but the song still rips!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Daytona Mona" is a big and melodic song with thunder and thrills. Always a wonderful song to hear, and even more so live.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Mexican holiday flavor of "Rosarito 3-Day" never ceases to entice me. The South of the border cruisin' feeling is omnipresent in this fine song.
Surf (Instrumental)
Mort Shuman's spiffy TV score is seldom done in a way that's not geeky, but Slacktone manages to make it shine! Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
"The Bells Of St. Kahuna" is a savage beast, accented with chiming chords. Ultra fast glissandoes and double picking... entirely cool! Dave is shouting "yeah yeah" throughout! Too fun!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Tiki Bar Crawl" is a perfect song in so many ways. Undulating with sensuality, and as seductive as they come. A tuff performance with charm and power.
Surf (Instrumental)
I'll take "Rell Sunn Aloha" any way it comes! Full of emotion and reverence, it hooks into your soul directly through your ears. A brilliant piece of writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
Dave brought "Rumble At Waikiki" forward from his years with Jon and the Nightriders. A great song, it sounds very full under the pummeling power of Slacktone. Delicate, yet very big.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Pyramids' "Penetration" rips in this band's hands. Shakin' the shoreline with power and grace.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Skateboard Commando" shoots the curb at breakneck speed. Very powerful!
Surf (Instrumental)
Again going back to Jon and the Nightriders, the band powers through a speedy spy monster that's splashy and dangerous, with a grin.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Tidal Wave" pounds you into the sand, leaving you unable to stand. A longtime member of their setlist, it's just always wonderful.
Surf (Instrumental)
Nobody does "Miserlou" as well as Slacktone, except their Japanese counterpart the Surf Coasters. Wonderful!