helenekhoffman's Full Review: Surf Guitar Greats: One Dozen Surf-Rock...
The Halibuts, Laika and the Cosmonauts, Los Straightjackets, Teisco Del Ray, Simon Chardiet, The Tailgators...
Never heard of 'em? Well, me neither, until I got this fine compilation: Surf Guitar Greats: One Dozen Surf Rock Instrumentals. I did know OF Los Straightjackets, but only as "the dudes in that band where they wear Mexican wrestling masks."
I have my husband to thank for this one...this was one of HIS rare impulse buys. Oddly enough, I think he's listened to this like, twice, while I crank it quite often, losing myself in the reverb drenched, Fender bending bliss.
This collection focuses on the surf REVIVAL bands mentioned above...there's none of the past illuminaries of the genre, like Dick Dale, the Trashmen, the Beach Boys, etc. Usually this would be my Anal Retentive Music Geek Moment where I snootily inform you that this isn't an entirely logical introduction to Surf Rock...but that would imply that I'm expert on this genre, and I most certainly am not. I DO know that this album is a lot more fun than any ol'...er...Jan and Dean record (I was going to say the Beach Boys before I remembered how much I like Pet Sounds.)
And really, all the basic hallmarks of surf music are in place in this collection: Fender reverb, trebly effects, rhythms that make you wanna do the 60's dance the Swim...it's just played with some more modern ATTITUDE, which actually makes the music a little more palatable.
Well, anyhoo, let's get acquainted with the aforementioned bands, shall we?
Los Straightjackets Representative Tracks: "Tailspin," "Itchy Chicken," "Pacifica"
The least obscure band on this collection, Los Straightjackets have made a bit of name for themselves with their reputably amazing live shows and their penchant for wearing brightly colored Mexican wrestling masks onstage. Quentin Tarantino is an avid fan, as is Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder.
Ironically, right after I got a hold of this comp, I caught Los Straightjackets' appearance in the grade B flick Psycho Beach Party...which was, as you would guess, a send up of those Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello Beach Blanket Bingo pictures (Very funny, I might add. Anyone with a twisted sense of humor should rent it). The band performed "Tailspin,"....one of the more immediately appealing tracks on this compilation, with its low, guttural, piledriving rhthym riff and propulsive bassline. "Pacifica" is another stand-out, featuring a gently rolling, ebb-tide beat and a soothingly gorgeous melody. I picture an ocean sunset when I listen to this.
Laika and the Cosmonauts Representative Tracks: "Mission Impossible Theme," "Fadeaway," "Miserlou"
Laika and the Cosmonauts' contributions are probably my least favorite of this whole collection. Granted, their shimmering, lilting original "Fadeaway," has some lovely Hawaiian style slide guitar work...but they also do the "Mission Impossible Theme," and Dick Dale's "Miserlou," two tracks that have been covered ad nauseam. (Those who don't recognize "Miserlou" from the title, this is the music that rolled over the opening credits of Pulp Fiction.) Both tracks ARE fun but suffer from the overfamiliarity, although the 60's sci-fi keyboards the band employs DO add some distinction and niftiness.
And you can't REALLY dislike a surf band from Finland, just as you had to root for the Jamaican Bobsled team. (:
The Halibuts Representative Tracks: "Suicide Bay," "Hammerhead"
California's The Halibuts are responsible for THE stand out track that REALLY makes this collection a must-own. "Suicide Bay," is two minute mini-drama with a simple storyline: Surfer is clipping along happily, riding some pretty manageable waves when suddenly the BIG ONE comes. At first he's intimidated, but then he catches it and really takes off! Finally, he cruises into shore and wipes his brow...Phew! This little story is cleverly told through music, with sinister organ effects representing the monster wave.
Teisco Del Ray Representative Tracks: "Pier Pressure," "Seville"
Teisco Del Ray bills his band as a different kind of surf act: "Our brand of surf is bluesier than anyone I can think of since Freddy King." Er, okay. I wouldn't go that far, but "Pier Pressure" does feature an ear catchingly bluesy solo that rescues a rather ordinary track. On the other hand, his blistering remake of the Rossini classical piece "The Barber of Seville," kicks a**. It also says in his bio that Del Ray is a collector of "exotic, bizarre, and cheesy," guitars. Good for him.
The Tailgators Representative Track: "Tico Tico"
When I hear this track, I get a picture in my head of a dashing Spanish dude with a black cape, a pencil thin mustache, and a rose between his teeth, trying to woo his lady by getting her to dance. It's kind of got that rhythm: Da---Da Na-Da, Da--Da Na-Da. Though this remake of a "vintage mambo classic" only loosely qualifies as surf, I quite like it.
Simon Chardiet Representative Track: "Surf the Wild Gowanus"
The liner notes tell us that throughout the 80's, Chardiet lead a punk band called Joey Miserable and the Worms. That goes a lot toward explaining why Mr. Chardiet contributes the hands-down weirdest track of the collection. This would be "Surf the Wild Gowanus," which features cavernous sonics, occasionally discordant guitar work, and an acid feedback finish. Interesting stuff.
Well, hopefully I've inspired you to take this home, it's really a wonderful bargain. Great music to blast and jump around your house to!!
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