peedball Jr. play with unending intensity and volume. They are louder and harsher
than Dick Dale these days. This is not your father's surf. For The Broad Minded is a
complete energy drain. You may not be able to take it all the way through in one
sitting. Aggressive, intense, and way over the top! the final track on the disc is a
Christmas vocal called "Rudolph's Secret."
Picks: U69, Inferno, Orient Express, Laguna Beach, Scalped, What A Way To Run A
Railroad, Suddenly Billy, El Camino, Caramba!, Pipeline, Le Chat Noir
U69 () ***
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Dark and heavy, "U69" verges on ugly, while being compelling. Very rock-toned and
surf based, it suggests the nineties-onward side of Dick Dale's career in its
aggression and flying glissandos. Quite powerful.
Inferno () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
"Inferno" portrays dark skies ready to destroy you, but you just have to get that
one last shortboard shredder in. Very powerful and aggressive.
Orient Express () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Once more, there's no let up in tension or anguish as Speedball Jr. hints slightly
at Vic Goddard's "Don't Split It," easily his most intense work, where he similarly
borrows slightly from "Born To Be Wild" in the break, and buries keys that just hint
at their presence. Superbly aggressive and compelling.
Laguna Beach () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Treble Spankers' rockin' "Laguna Beach" is made very angular and shred-worthy, as if
Dick Dale had written it. The muted lines and the heavy aggression, along with the
ambulance references, make this a tuff track to follow.
Scalped () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Dick Dale's "Scalped" completes the nod to the King. Almost bigger than his, this
track is a real power romp. Raw and intense.
What A Way To Run A Railroad () *****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
The intensity of "What A Way To Run A Railroad" is unmistakable and remarkably nerve
wracking. There's a very high energy bridge that is lower power than the song,
leaving you with a false sense of calm by contrast. In your mug and all consuming.
It's hard to imagine, but this is bigger than Huevos Rancheros' original.
Suddenly Billy () *****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Whammy dips and dark assaults on your sanity aggressively charge through the
monitors. Not one ounce of rest, and lots of demanding double picked shredding.
Super-fast glissandos and hard charging chords complete the image. Yikes!
El Camino () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
Even with a title like "El Camino" that is generally associated with more "fun"
surf, Speedball Jr. rocks like this is their last song. With all knobs turned to
eleven, this powers along without restraint. Great drums!
Caramba! () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
If the title is what you exclaim upon enduring the energy assault here, then it's a
perfect title. It's not the least bit Spanish, but it sure powers its way through
the night!
Pipeline () ****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
This is a loud and very chunky monsterization of Brian Carmen and Bob Spickard's
classic. If Johnny Thunders had understood surf, he probably would have done this
instead of how he mangled "Pipeline." Way cool!
Le Chat Noir () *****
Surf Rock Instrumental (Stereo)
This uncharacteristically calm and soothing track comes none too soon. I'm worn out
by the intensity, and "Le Chat Noir" is a welcome respite. haunting and dark and
moody, and even, dare I say it with Speedball Jr., gentle! Really cool!
peedball Jr. play with unending intensity and volume. They are louder and harsher
than Dick Dale these days. This is not your father's surf. For The Broad Minded is a
complete energy drain. You may not be able to take it all the way through in one
sitting. Aggressive, intense, and way over the top! the final track on the disc is a
Christmas vocal called "Rudolph's Secret."