Picks: Squad Bike, Johnny Guitar, Thessaloniki, Easy Tune, Surfari, 36 District, Haut Les Mains, Nasty Butt Twist, Mega Tsunami, Poisoned Coconuts, French Kiss, Tahiti Love, Unlisted

"Squad Bike" ***
On the periphery of surf beat wise, but well reverbed and double picked, with glissandos and a gutsy riff. The melody line is very surfable, and the big chords splash along side the double picking well.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Johnny Guitar" ****
This track has a spy-ish sound, as well as an oceanic quality. A surf rhythm guitar's damped reverb carries the surfability. On the catchy side, with grumbly bass and drive "Johnny Guitar" is solid and just menacing enough. It is not the old Victor Young / Peggy Lee standard.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Thessaloniki" ***
The shimmer of vibrato rings out across the surf as "Thessaloniki" rolls along on its way to the cove. A rock 'n' roll beat grumbles under a rising intensity. Solid track.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Easy Tune" ****
Great drums a la the Breakers' "Jet Stream" launch this track. Some tweaky damped picking adds to the vintage Midwest sound. The surf rhythm and bass grumble complete the scene. This is a fine track!
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Surfari" ****
The Original Surfaris' 1963 namesake epic "Surfari" is mean and rock solid. Deep throated reverb and double picked power abound. One fine cover.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"36 District" ****
This is a plodding surf grumbler along the lines of Vistas' "No Return," but gutsier and deeper. Damped reverb, slow drama, and some flashy string swipes preceding long glissandos. Very cool!
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Haut Les Mains" ****
Heavy surf rhythm and a high lead guitar open into a throaty and somewhat grumpy surf tune. Solid double picking and menacing rumble. There's danger here boys and girls. "Haut Les Mains" coms in two parts, separated by a short silence.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Nasty Butt Twist" ***
Tuff drums and double picked lead guitar over a relentless beat. Vibrato twang chords and shimmer with menacing guitar. A fine track.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Mega Tsunami" ***
A too-long hot rod intro (almost a minute) eventually leads to a poundy surf thrash. While it's not really melodic, its trashy chords and reverb, coupled with it's double picked flailing, render it a demanding power trip.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Poisoned Coconuts" ****
The rhythm guitar opens, is augmented by the drums, and then the bass rumbles in too. This is pure riff rock surf rhythm... no melody, yet the early surf simplicity and reverb splash required. Very effective!
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"French Kiss, Tahiti Love" ****
This is a playful, sorta Spanish song, with a slower pace and tropical feeling. Vibrato shimmer, rich surf tone, and a solid sense of adventure. Dramatic, delicate, pulsing, and a little spooky.
Surf Instrumental Stereo

"Surf Beat" ****
Unlisted, this is past a long silence at the end of "The Crusher." The sea shore sounds and yakking of party goers precede a "Surf Beat" intro. Surf riff rock with an eye on the tribal dance of the Rendezvous Ballroom. Fun and primal surf.
Surf Instrumental Stereo