Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Much of this album is softer and more restrained, and the majority of the writing is excellent. The last few tracks are very muddy, with way too much track reverb and almost missing rhythm sections. Otherwise, lots to like here.

Picks: All For A Few Perfect Waves, Twango, Bushwacked, Paradise Point, Kachingo, Habanra, Bongorama, Murphy Ranch, Slimpickins, Interlube, Sand Pumper

Surf (Instrumental)

A crunchy acoustic chord progression and interesting percussion lay down a backtrack to a slow and very cool instro. "All For A Few Perfect Waves" is influenced by The Sandells early recordings. This track has staying power. It's not particularly ground breaking, but it sure is great to listen to in a gentler moment.

Surf (Instrumental)

Echo gives the guitar a European sound, which suits the melody's flow just fine. While not very surf sounding, and while I can't say "Dora Lives" stayed with after listening, it is easy on the ears, maybe even pretty in a spatial sort of way.

Surf (Instrumental)

A little spy like, pretty much subdued, and sporting a melody similar to "Riding The Wind" (Tornados), "Twango" is nonetheless an enjoyable track. Shimmer and whammy, saucy sax, with solid drums.

Surf (Instrumental)

Sort of Indian drums, an angular rhythm guitar and very cool bass support a nicely written melody line. "Bushwacked" is rich with note and rhythm. It doesn't start out to really grab you, but it does before it's through. Very nice!

Surf (Instrumental)

Tribal drums and thumper bass under a melody that is, in part, a combination of Last Ride and "Exodus," "Paradise Point" is nevertheless a very enjoyable track. The derivative portions just seem to add a sense of familiarity, while the arrangement keeps it fresh.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slow and deliberate in the rhythm department, "Divine Invasion" has a commercial sounding melody, by which I mean it's easy to imagine it in an ad on the tube. Quite pleasant.

Surf (Instrumental)

The echoed guitar suggest European instrumental roots, and there are brief hints of such in the melody. "Kachingo" is quite nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

Throbbing tremolo and very cool drums combine for a sort of holiday getaway instro. "Habanra" has lovely whammy chords and ringing tone. The rhythm guitar is particularly effective.

Surf (Instrumental)

Speedy sparkling double picked guitar and a ska rhythm over thundering bass and excellent drums create a gem of a surf instro. "Bongorama" is cool sounding, as in blue, and the double picked notes dribble and sparkle like the lead in The Catalinas' "Banzai Washout," but with smoother, no-fuzz tone.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Murphy Ranch" is an easy going track with a picturesque melody that portrays an open expanse like a plain. Very pretty and easy on the soul.

Surf (Instrumental)

Rich tremolo and low-E plucking with a country melody line in reverb. The fun that implies is here, but perhaps more like a subdued grin. The sax break is kinda Steve Douglas' work on Duane Eddy and the Rebels sessions. Just a great pop surf instro!

Surf (Instrumental)

"Supertones Soul Beat" is a variant of Jim Waller and the Deltas' "Soul Beat" with a Booker T. and the MG's "Hip Hug Her" rhythm section influence. Fun Memphis style soul.

Surf (Instrumental)

Wow, is the opening of "Interlube" sultry and fluid. It should be a song unto itself! Once into the track, it becomes more up tempo, with a more familiar pop melody sound. But, for me, it's the intro that makes this shine!

Surf (Instrumental)

This an updated recording of "Sand Pumper," a song that dates back to at least 1996. A friendly riff is varied by climbing ever higher up the neck and onto the low-E. The baritone verse is cool, and the muted dribbling reverb is too. Great drums, and very fun.

Surf (Instrumental)

Great drums and a dramatic rhythm, along with haunted sound really work well with the melody. "Morbius" is upbeat and fun, but it has way too much track reverb for my taste.

Surf (Instrumental)

"Point Of Know Return" is delivered in a low register. It's spaghetti western melody is very cool, but the rhythm section is almost missing in the mix. Some of the chords are just delicious as they dribble out in glorious reverb.

Surf (Instrumental)

The keys are home bass in this continuation of "Paradise Point," and even when the guitar breaks through, it's a completely different sound. Very nice, though the rhythm section is way too subdued, and there's too much ambient digital reverb.

Surf (Instrumental)

Like "Paradise Point Revisited" before it, "Twango Revisited" starts off with organ and then brings out the guitar. While excellent in concept, the ambient reverb and virtually extremely subdued rhythm section hold it back.

Surf (Instrumental)

This is a murky live recording of Dave Zdunich's "Ali Baba." The performance sounds tight and exciting, but the overwhelming ambient reverb and almost missing drums really kill the mood. This song requires exceptional drums, and while it sounds like they may be with headphones on, they are just a hint in the mix.