Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Surf Instro Review: Music From The Motion Picture Pulp Fiction-Various Artists

Music From The Motion Picture Pulp Fiction- Various Artists has successfully revived the golden era of Surf music, bringing back the nostalgic tunes that once resonated with America's youth.

The Movie, in my opinion, was a disappointment; however, as we all know, it has become a cult classic.  It was not too long ago that it was reissued on vinyl, which I snagged up!

My favorite scene was when Travolta and Thurman were at Jack Rabbit Slims, for some reason, which stuck in my mind. Those too sitting there wasted on heroin, sipping their milkshakes, was all too real, and a tribute to some good acting.

The soundtrack is a shining beacon in an otherwise lackluster project. It's worth noting that the first track contains movie dialogue, so exercise caution if you have children around. Despite this, it's a fantastic soundtrack that truly does justice to Surf music!

Music legends have created some of the most excellent songs.  If you've watched TV lately, you can hear how Surf has worked its way into commercials, more and more all the time. I think it's excellent! Thank you, Pulp Fiction.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

1998

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Surf Instro Review: The Fathoms-Overboard

One of the Top Five Surf albums of '98 is Overboard by The Fathoms!

Many influences are heard when you spin this disc. Great horns are blended with traditional and new surf sounds—one of the many great artists that MuSick has in its stable.

Ferenc Dobroyni once told me it's very Klemmzer, which is traditional Jewish dance music. So, try to visualize and hear what this would sound like. I can tell you from my viewpoint that it is some of the very best music available today.

It's terrific when musicians have the vision to blend traditional music with new sounds, creating a unique sound all their own. The Fathoms don't fall short here; go Overboard to get this.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-1998

Tracks:

01. Race Against Time 

02. Fathomized 

03. Overboard 

04. Tracking Bigfoot 

05. El Toro

06. Hippo Hump  

07. The Hearse  

08. Shark Waves   

09. The Haunted Shore  

10. Flaming Arrow

11. Cruisin The Zone

12. Cahoon Hollow Hideaway

13. Turquoise Blue (and Primer Gray)

14. Git My Goat


Monday, May 19, 2025

Surf Instro Review: Los Straitjackets-Self-Titled

 https://losstraitjackets.com/

What do you get when you put a bunch of veteran instrumental rockers together, put Mexican wrestling masks on them, and let people wonder who they are? Well, Los Straightjackets, of course! Their self-titled album is terrific.

Some people have an idea of who they might be, but only they know for sure. Remember what Kiss did?

It is an excellent attraction; the excitement of the music, coupled with the unknown, is a perfect combination. 

Is anybody for "Brains & Eggs"? What a brilliant title. If you listen to the music, it goes with the song. That is one example of many.

These guys are so good! I wish they had more music available. I picked up some neat colored vinyl with a few neat tunes, but I want more!

You know, that's another thing about Surf music that's so cool; they have tons of stuff on vinyl in different colors, 45s and 33s, and elegant artwork as well, emulating the 1960s tradition, as the artwork is well known in the Surf Genre.

Check it all out. It's a wonderful world just waiting for you to enter. Dionysus Records or Double Crown Records has some great stuff!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

1998

Tracks:

01. Cavalcade   

02. The Casbah   

03. Wrong Planet  

04. Lonely Apache  

05. Outta Gear  

06. Pascifica

07. Espionage 

08. Swampfire   

09. Lawnmower   

10. Lurking In The Shadows  

11. Brains & Eggs

12. Venturing Out  

13. Tsuna   

14. Nightmare In Monte Cristo