Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Los Twang! Marvels - Prueba De Fuego
 | There's lots of cool stuff here. Combine the uplifting exuberance of Brazil, the melody sense of Gypsies and surf, and a whole bunch of fun, and you get a general idea how groovy this disc is. It's not surf per say, however there's plenty of surf influence, and a whole lot to enjoy. |
Picks: Gipsy Queen Witch, Luna Park, Runaway From Zardoz, Rancho Cucamonga, Space Tiki Twist, Phantom Of The Highway, Rippin Waves, Cannonball, Flight Of The Bumblebee, Safari Stomp, Brasil, El Fenderviche, Samba Estrella, Prueba De Fuego
Track by Track Review
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Big twangin' drama amped by drum and bass pomposity builds a strong expectation for the riff power to come, and it's on course. While this is a simple riff rocker, it's varies verse to verse, yet has a vintage appeal. Delay is the effect du jour, and it gives "Gipsy Queen Witch" a swimming pool wetness.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
"Luna Park" is a rich Euro styled instro with ringing chords and an Eastern European melody. This very well done instro is friendly and warm.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Galloping drums and a ska rhythm guitar run amok under a double picked melody line that leans heavily upon the Fender IV's "Malibu Run" while not being completely derivative. High spirits and excellent tone give "Runaway From Zardoz" a fresh face and great appeal.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
This is a rompin' number with a rich Eastern European sound and fury. Great drums make this so much than just that, and the fiery guitar work takes it over the top.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
This is a fine track with a quirky feeling and delicate muted lines. Hand claps add fun to this already grin-bearing song, This is really a fine track with lots of friendly little curlicues to capture you. Way cool!
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
The keys circle the wagons, the rich rhythm and drums and bass pound, and the thunder rumbles onward. The pulsing rhythm of "Phantom Of The Highway" is what captures you, while the lead guitar just peaks out from under its spell.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
How cool is this! The lead is sadly buried pretty far down, with the rhythm out from and dry playing a superbly infectious riff. The distance from the front of the lead gives this a haunted feeling.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Thundering traditional surf rhythm and racing drums power this fine track. The melody is halfway between surf and Euro classic melody structure, giving "Cannonball" a hybrid sense that's warm and unique. Very cool.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
This is a very unusual treatment ofNicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's classic "Flight Of The Bumble Bee." The arrangement is thick and very original. Fiery dueling guitars rounded out by reverb and delay, and very engaging energy.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Great drums and swimming chords bring forth this surf-worthy stomp. The guitar trickery adds a grin element with chicken plucks, string swipes, and wildly trembling whammy. This is not a serious rocker, it's a superbly fun and endearing grinner.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Ary Barroso's wonderfully happy "Brazil" is done in a fanciful way with uplifting spirits and warm tone. The guitar swims in a panoramic wash of delay. Excellent!
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
"El Fenderviche" is very derivative of Randy Holden's "Mar Gaya," but that aside, "El Fenderviche" is a very fine track with abundant energy and charm. Round double picked lead lines sparkle and endear, and as we all know, the rhythm track to "Mar Gaya" is very powerful.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Samba is right. "Samba Estrella" sparkles with the happy energy of the samba, powered by dribbling double picking, and near steel drum guitar lines. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Eurosurf (Instrumental)
Dark fuzz and a charming rhythm track bring on a smooth yet bouncy track. The drums are very cool, and the contrast provided by the fuzz is quite interesting. "Prueba De Fuego" is a flight of fancy full of energy and light hearted spirit.