Surf Rock Instro Review: The Aqua Velvets-Guitar Noir

The Aqua Velvets Facebook Page

After reading this review, you will quickly see how captivated I was by this band. And if I were to listen right now, I would feel the same. The Aqua Velvets were one of those bands that stood out among their contemporaries.

If you look at the cover of The Aqua Velvets' CD Guitar Noir closely, you can see two worlds far apart, yet very close. The eyes of a beautiful sandy beach watch… with palm trees as their eyelids, they look off into the distance and see the hustle and bustle of a modern-day city. The bridge that links the two vastly different worlds is close enough to touch. All right, snap out of it. It’s the Bay Bridge. It’s the bridge that connects Oakland to San Francisco. I traveled it hundreds of times myself, but I never had a beautiful vision as the one portrayed on the cover of this album.

The Aqua Velvets invite you on a captivating journey of fantasy and fiction with their latest masterpiece, “Guitar Noir.” Crafting enchanting soundscapes that are both beautiful and evocative, this group seamlessly fuses modern rock with exotica, lounge, surf, and Middle Eastern influences. The result is a mesmerizing instrumental music that will leave you spellbound and eager for more.

Within the CD's inner sleeve, you'll discover the musings and emotions that inspired the musicians, expertly translated into music. “Day In the Life Of A Private Eye” is a prime example of this, a musical narrative that exudes mystery, romance, and the thrill of being a private eye. “Casbah Club” is another compelling story, complete with a matching soundtrack. The group excels at this storytelling approach with every song, and it's a style of music that I adore.

The movie industry should wake up and take note. The Aqua Velvets have a goldmine of music that is meant for films. This is further evidence that some of the world's best talent can be found in genres that receive very little attention. This is probably why the people involved with this music remain so down-to-earth. It keeps the music and the people honest, and the result is musical perfection without words.

Speaking of words…there aren’t enough to express how good this music is.  Listening to this music is like watching a movie unfold in your mind, except there are no big screens or TVs, and the actor is you. You write the script, provide the actors, and The Aqua Velvets give you a soundtrack to complete your movie. Believe me, you need to connect with this part of yourself—Buy Guitar Noir (incredibly low priced on Discogs).

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
March 6, 2001

Tracks:

01. Guitar Noir

02. Prelude To Subterranea

03. Subterranea

04. Mysterious Mambo

05. Casbah Club

06. Venetian Silhouettes

07. Time Trapped

08. Day In The Life Of A Private Eye

09. Slow Dance With A Fast Girl

10. Twilight Of The Hepcats

11. Aqua Nova

12. Silver Of Moon

13. Moodswing Sonata

14. Mermaids After Midnight

Surf Instro Review: The Dirty Licks- Shelf Break

Release Date:  April 1, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

The Dirty Licks are:

Jeffrey Locke - Drums

Fernando Gomez - Bass

Sarah Hayes - Guitar

Mike Panico - Guitar

Anyone who likes rock would be attracted to a band with the name The Dirty Licks. Then, if it's guitar-based instrumentals and surf, that's even better for some of us.

Shelf Break is the band's most recent release, and it cooks right along, offering a varied sound and style within each of the six tracks. This album is a testament to their growth and experimentation. What I found most impressive was their ability to change tempos and the quick transitions within those changes. Considering the track run times, it keeps your interest from start to finish. I also enjoyed how they stayed within the realm of surf instro and explored sub-genres, focusing on melodicism.

 

“Helen Highwater” kicks things off with a good melody, then it quickly increases (get used to that) the tempo with all instruments joining the party. The twin guitar attack is strong going into the transitions, and there are several (another trademark of their sound). It's an energetic opener that sets the tone for what's coming next.

 

“Fez Dispenser” is a play on words for the legendary Pez Dispensers, I am thinking.  This one starts with quick riffs and driving drums and bass. Suddenly, there is a change to a slower tempo, focusing on their innate abilities to hook you in with melody. It works. In under two minutes, they have many transitions. This is something that consistently impressed me. This keeps your attention without pause. One of the changes was a brief bass solo, followed by a return to the original riff and a swift conclusion. You're getting used to the quick transitions, starts, and stops by now.

 

“Cowboys and Aliens” is a testament to the band's versatility, evoking a western atmosphere with its twangy guitar and rapid tempo changes.  The consistent rhythm section provides a solid foundation, allowing the guitar to take flight with sharp licks. The band's unpredictability, with sudden transitions and returns to the main melody, keeps the listener engaged and excited.

 

“Ayah Zein” is the only cover on this album, and they do it very well. This time, some glissando and tremolo effects come into play. These two factors, which are a primary reason we listen to surf instro, are what give it that special appeal. They are on fire from beginning to end. The back end holds steady as the guitar's notes glide over the beats, then a Middle Eastern feel takes hold two minutes in (which is what you expect based on the track title). This is a complex composition that ends in a flash. You are left feeling that this band could go in any direction they choose at the drop of a hat.

 

The title track “Shelf Break” features those tight bass and drums, and the guitars come in to answer the call once again. There are some rapid exchanges, like a gunfight with a reserve of ammunition. They consistently demonstrate their explosive potential throughout this album. Then another short-lived bass solo to remind you how important it is. It was like a day at the races of guitars, then another sudden end.

 

“Enchilada Pinata” closes out the album with another nod to a sub-genre, and this time on the Latin end of the spectrum. Of course, you expected that based on the track title. Some flashes of glissando arrive, then a return to the main melody. The fast-moving tempo ends suddenly once more.

 

Shelf Break is a solid release packed with a punch on every track. What sets it apart is the band's unique ability to blend the energy and focus of surf rock with a transitory nature that keeps the listener on their toes. The album is an exciting and colorful journey, making it a highly recommended listen for all fans of surf rock instrumental music.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Reviews Founder

July 17, 2025

Tracks:

1. Helen Highwater 03:44

2. Fez Dispenser 03:23

3. Cowboys and Aliens 04:18

4. Ayah Zein 02:51

5. Shelf Break 03:05

6. Enchilada Pinata 02:44

Surf Instro Review: The Duo-Tones-Paul Johnson & Gil Orr -Surf Music Unplugged

Paul Johnson (The Bel Airs, Sufaris) and Gil Orr (Chantays) are the Duotones. As the Surf Music Unplugged advertises, they are two rock-instrumental virtuosos playing nineteen classic tunes. Most of the tracks are classic instrumental surf songs. 

However, it's the innovative unplugged arrangements that truly set this album apart.

 There is one surprise that changes the entire feel of the album, "California Dreamin'." It is a reminder that this duo means business, and they are far from being one-dimensional.

This recording sheds new light on a genre that has long been overlooked and underappreciated. To hear music made for electric guitar come to life out of the ashes, like a phoenix, is an awe-inspiring experience.

Johnson expresses this sentiment in the liner notes: "The guitar has taken a back seat in the harmony department, and it has been all but forgotten as a rhythm instrument." 

This CD sets the record straight. Johnson and Orr find a comfortable interplay to position their instruments for optimal resonance. They use only their guitars to create a full, layered sound, giving the lead and rhythm sections prominence in each song. Johnson's nod to Segovia's phrase "My little orchestra", which refers to his guitar, is an indication of his respect and admiration for the instrument.

Surf Music Unplugged may shake the minimalists and staunch traditionalists (boring people) right out of their boots. Still, for the progressive and open-minded believers in music's birthright to deviate from the norm and build upon itself, this is a breath of fresh sea air.

Johnson and Orr were there right from the beginning in the sixties. They laid the foundation then, and they continue to stretch themselves beyond their limitations. Please leave it to the forefathers to build yet another foundation with old stones and mortar. A new house is being built, and the architects are the same.

These are classic renderings of great songs. I hope the third wave of surf can see the value in interpreting their music this way. It does give each song a new lease of life when you pull out the plug.

One listen to "Mr. Moto", "Baja", and "The Lonely Bull", and you will be converted.

God bless these talented men for coming up with something so fresh and challenging. I loved every second of this.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

March 1, 2001

Tracks:

01. Crystal-T

02. Mr. Moto

03. Baja

04. Apache

05. Walk, Don’t Run

06. Baja Nights

07. Hide Away

08. Outside

09. Scratchy

10. Kamikaze

11. California Dreamin’

12. Pipeline

13. Song For My Father

14. Beach City Bop

15. The Lonely Bull

16. The Wedge

17. More Love, More Power

18. Last Night In Waikiki