Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Tormentos - Grab Your Board
 | The Tormentos play mostly uplifting surf with great rhythms. They remind me some of the Woodies. Great melodies and sound. This is highly recommended for fans of trad sound who don't mind a little evolution. The CD ends with a vocal called "Tormentos (Reprise)." |
Picks: Tormentos, Surf Party, The Search For The Lost Tiki, New Wave, U.F.O. Incident, Take Off Or Die, Moon Over Marin, Blue Eyed Little Baby, Fuga a la Medianoche, Santa Clara Del Mar, El Justiciero, The Imposter, Scatter Shield, Pool Rider
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
Many band signature songs are not all that interesting, but "Tormentos" is very cool. Muted reverbed rhythm, warm surf tone, and a very cool melody line. Great energy and pure surf styling.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Astronauts' classic "Surf Party" is very nicely done. Brighter tone than the original, but otherwise very reverent. Splashy and fun.
The Search For The Lost Tiki Surf (Instrumental)
Shimmering chords, damped reverbed rhythm, and a great melody riff. This remonds me of the kind of thing that the Vy-Dels might have done in a lighter mood, or maybe like the Creations with clarity. Very cool, and the tribal drums in the break just make it more so.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is one happy track, with an attractive melody and infectious surf rhythm. Not as happy as the Woodies' "Surfin' With Bernie," but going in that direction. Excellent!
Surf (Instrumental)
On the spooky side, "U.F.O. Incident" is also well suited for top-down cruising on warm summer afternoons. It's warm and inviting, and a tiny bit sci-fi. Great slow glissandos dribble like water! Wonderful.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Take Off Or Die" is a frantic number with speed glissandos. Well suited for shooting the curb as we used to do. Sparkling guitar, reverbed second guitar, and a great rhythm section.
Surf (Instrumental)
Pollo Del Mar's "Moon Over Marin" gets the full surf treatment. A splendid idea! A great song very well done, with pure surf arranging. Nuff said!
Surf (Instrumental)
Tribal drums and Spanish imagery run through this fine track. Moderately paced, rich in reverb, and very picturesque. "Blue Eyed Little Baby" seems well suited for sunset surfing or a film sequence. Wonderfully rich.
Surf (Instrumental)
Faster and more aggressive than other tracks here, "Fuga a la Medianoche" is a blend of modern formatting and vintage perfection. It's a fine track full of energy and splashy imagery.
Surf (Instrumental)
Rhthmic and sparkling with enthuriasm, "Santa Clara Del Mar" is also dark and driven by the drums and moody melody line. Engaging, infectious, and very well arranged. You'll come back to this one.
Surf (Instrumental)
Spaghetti western thematically, enhanced with jaws harp, and driven with an infectious beat. Simply fun, and very cool.
Surf (Instrumental)
Dark damped reverb rhythms and a slightly dangerous melody line run above great drums and bass. "The Imposter" is a solid track with appeal.
Surf (Instrumental)
The Surfaris' magnificent "Scatter Shield" is rocked hard and reverb-crashed to perfection. Big, high energy, and totally cool. The Tormentos simply rip on this one!
Surf (Instrumental)
A quirky melody line and aggressive energy sparkle with enthusiasm here. It's not easy to describe, but suffice it to say that its energy and bright face will draw you in! Very happy.