Picks: Silver Coast, Reptile Boots, Horizon Riders, Coolangatta, Tethys, Dewey's Dead, Batwave, Flamin' Eddie's Dragstrip, Ocotillo, Asteroid, Black Sea, Electric Marlin, Nomad, Ursa Minor, Starfish Ranch / Mojave, Baja
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Silver Coast ****
Slowly rising from the sea and beautiful guitarscapes, Silver Coast rides on
a circulating melody line atop a great rhythm. This fine track is is a fine
example of the swirling perfection that the Insect Surfers are capable of.
Gorgeous ringing tone and throbbing essence of surf, with long howling feedback
and grumbling bass slowly releasing the track as it fades under the waves.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reptile Boots ***
Lizard skinned rhythms and pumpin' drums bump under a modern semi-psychedelic
melodic melody line. The contrast between the foreground backtrack and distant
lead creates a haunting sound. Quite nice!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horizon Riders *****
This is one of the best new songs from the Insect Surfers. It's an infectious
spaghetti western with very visual psychedelic swirls. The rolling cowboy beat
and Morricone-ish melody are a splendid Southwest epic! The many textural
changes add a sense of evolving story lines. Great!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coolangatta *****
Like a chunkier version of Rake and the Surftones with Link Wray close by,
Coolangatta pulses with power and a great rhythm, plus some spectacular
guitar tone and sustain. This is one fine track!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tethys *****
Tethys captures your ears right from the start. The alternating melody line
is captivating and intricate. Each guitar brings its own brand of delivery to
the song, with many fine changes in texture and tone. Tethys is a magnificent
track.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dewey's Dead ****
On the verge of dirge inversion, Dewey's Dead grumbles about the loss in a
never ending tubular ride way, with thunder in the tom toms and a relentless
adventure in the rhythm.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Batwave ****
Batwave is dissonant and angular, with intense tortured ambiance and plenty
of attack. It's dark and dangerous, and haunting too. The howling adds to the
fright factor. Excellent!
Sci-Fi Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamin' Eddie's Dragstrip ****
The dragsters rev up, the announcer calls the race, and then the guitars kick
in. This long time Insect Surfers finally makes it to disc, and way past due I
say! Great grodie fuzz and liquid guitar, an utterly infectious melody, Church
Key whammy dips... what more do you need? Edgy hotrod cool!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocotillo *****
The warm melody of Ocotillo flows like a ride down the Baja coast in search
of a perfect summer break. Completely cool, with a Spanish edge and pumping
bass line. Fine track!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asteroid ****
Space echo guitar, backwards coolness, mind-game escapes... and that's just the
intro. In an odd way, this reminds me of the introduction to Shuggie Otis'
Freedom Flight. It's more a soundscape than a song, but is quite satisfying.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Sea *****
This is an amazing new song! It rides on an undulating rhythm, born of western
skies and summer adventure. Compelling and exquisitely arranged, Black Sea
demands your attention. Vibrato drama, silky fluid lines, psychedelic effects,
and a call to the open highway. Magnificent! No, it's Perfect!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electric Marlin ****
Electric Marlin heads down the coast to glassy walls unknown. This track is
rhythm dominated and full of adventure, fast and delicate, and like the call of
the wild. Excellent!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nomad *****
Another stellar Insect tune loaded with energy and twin lead style, Nomad has
been in the Insect Surfers set for quite a while. Heavier than in the early
days, yet sparkling in a modern way. Fine song.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ursa Minor [live] ****
Like a scene from a distant space station, Ursa Minor is moody and mystical,
with a solid air of cold vacuum adventure. It's a soundscape that often opens
Polaris these days. It stands alone well on it's own.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Starfish Ranch / Mojave *****
The upbeat adventure of Starfish Ranch is always more than friendly and
attractive. This infectious and circular melody line always brings a grin to my
mug. The whammy action and writhing guitaristry are very powerful. Mojave is
transitioned into. It is made of the rumble of the decay, with haunting
feedback whale calls and moody fine drums. Quite a soundscape!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baja *****
Lee Hazelwood's classic Baja is very nicely rearranged by the Insect Surfers.
The sea breaks gently on the shore, the guitar rings out, and a softened
delivery adds a sense of beauty and calm. Excellent counterbalances between the
two guitars makes this one of the best versions around!
Surf Instrumental Stereo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Along with Pollo Del Mar, The Mermen and a small handful of other bands, Insect Surfers take a heavier approach to their instrumental surf music. Of course, Dave Arnson and company have been at it longer than the others, having started his band in Washington D.C. in 1979. They've never disbanded, though there have been a few players in and out over the years, and today they sound exactly like a band with that many years of experience and maturity. They manage to make a track heavy while keeping it melodic and somehow buoyant. I'm sure they'll hate this, but I've always thought of them as the Blue Oyster Cult of surf, but I mean it as a hell of a compliment. A song like "Nomad" could be just another surf tune in other hands, but it has a mysterious quality, a foreboding and a forlorn feeling to the distant lead guitar that takes it a different direction. The musicianship has only improved within Insect Surfers and the songwriting has done likewise. With music of this quality coming out 24 years into their career, one wonders if this band even has a pull date. I say keep the music comin'.
Insect Surfers Mojave Reef Insect Surfers have been hiding out for six years, but their new album is as polished as surf can get. They play the dramatic sounds that accompany old-school tube riders from yesteryear, but in a rockin' way that's less minimalist and more full-sounding. The insert has a photo of Dave Arnson and Co. playing at Staples Center! After listening for a while, I get the feeling that these accomplished musicians can play anything. "Freebird"? [chromeoxide.com/insect.htm] en