Surf Instro Review: Chum-Cheater Five

Note: The music I reviewed at the time was not the entire album included here for streaming, which is the Dewey Decibel System. It was a long time ago, so the band may have sent me a sample or demo to listen to.

If you are not familiar with the lore of the sea, chum is a mixture of fish, blood, and various other parts used to lure sharks. Musically, this isn’t chum. It’s surf-instro, nothing fancy. That’s why Chum’s Cheater Five has an appeal and a certain charm.

In surfing, a "Cheater Five" is a maneuver where a surfer moves their front foot to the very tip of the board's nose while maintaining most of their weight on their back foot.

Of course, seeing the world through your mama’s brown-eye isn’t charming. But this band's carefree and fun attitude is undoubtedly entertaining. I tend to laugh at what others may find disgusting, what can I say? I got a good laugh when I looked at the sub-title of track two. Their attitude is much like their music — carefree and fun.

This group, a typical surf-instro trio, is a delight to listen to. Their music is carefree and fun, much like their attitude. This CD serves as a good introduction to musicians with some promise. However, five songs are hardly enough to satisfy our appetite for their music. I, for one, am eagerly awaiting more.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 16, 2001

Tracks:

1. Surf Song

2. In The Green Room (Through Your Mama’s Brown-Eye)

3. Raptor

4. Spinout

5. Cheater 5

Surf Instro Review: Light Valley Shadows-Rapid River

You may find the latest release from Light Valley Shadows, Rapid River, a delightful surprise. Their unique blend of influences from The Shadows and The Ventures creates a distinct sound that sets them apart.

This album is a testament to the band's infectious energy. The covers are executed with precision, and the original material is truly impressive. It's a complete package of bouncy fun and excitement.

Their music is very tasteful, and the colorful cover leads you to believe that what's inside will be a great experience. It is true to form as the group navigates 19 cuts of pure instrumental gold (as they refer to their music on their website) with an effortless and natural style.

There is a nice flow to this recording. The mixture of covers and originals keeps you on your toes and interested in what's coming next. The group succeeds in all aspects and leaves you in an upbeat and fancy-free mood. That's what it's all about.

The Light Valley Shadows have made a significant mark in the surf-instro realm with this album. Their success is evident in the upbeat and carefree mood it leaves you in. It's a journey worth taking.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 22, 2000

Tracks:

01. Man of Mystery

02. Perfidia

03. Rapid River

04. Atlantis

05. Peace Pipe

06. The Stranger

07. Time is Tight

08. Foot Tapper/ Walk Don´t Run

09. Little B

10. Midnight in Moscow ( Podmoskovnyje Vetjera )

11. Sleepwalk

12. Round and Round

13. FBI

14. Gonzales

15. Find Me a Golden Street

16. The Boys

17. Quartermaster's Store´s

18. Frightened City

19. Passage through Millenniu

Surf Rock Instrumental Review: The Mulchmen - Greetings! From Planet Stupider

The only thing stupider than Greetings! From Planet Stupider, an instro fan would not pick up this fine slab of instro delight.

The Mulchmen, an immensely talented trio from Dayton, bring a unique sound that perfectly complements their sometimes-odd and unconventional musical surroundings. Their music is a delightful blend of instrumental rock that is sure to intrigue any music enthusiast.

 

The Mulchmen are Nick Kizirnis (cruise director), Brian Hogarth (Co-Pilot), and Gregg Spence (Navigator). That is lead guitar, bass, and drums in that order.

 

Big Beef Records has some prime cuts coming from their studios on this vibrant and diverse album. You can't quantify it as just surf, yet its influence echoes in the distance. This is instrumental rock. How do you stick a group like this in a particular genre? You just can't. Tabbed as surf-rock, they prove time and again that it's a very narrow description of their diverse sound. Their range is too far into the distant galaxies of instrumental wanderings to be categorized.

 

This is an excellent example of how to use your talent and explore and experiment with music. It's much easier to do when you don't have to sing a note. Let the music do the talkin'.  It speaks loud and clear, and it works.

 

Listening to The Mulchmen and their music was an entirely enjoyable experience. Their talent and creativity shine through in every note, making it a must-listen for any music fan.

 

As I listen to The Mulchmen, I find myself scratching my head and wondering why I haven't heard more of these guys. Their music is a testament to their talent and dedication, and it's a wonder they're not more well-known. They cook, and their fine-tuned synchronization is a joy to listen to. If you're an instro head, you need to get smarter and listen to Greetings! From Planet Stupider.

 

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

January 17, 2000

Tracks:

01. Delta Velocity

02. Backscratcher

03. Spank The Lightning

04. The Stalker

05. Go-Go-Boot Camp

06. Pocketful Of Pennies

07. Yek-259

08. Lowdown

09. Automatic Egypt

10. Tiddytwister

11. Demanding The Impossible

12. Shadow Walk

13. Ripchord

14. Dr. Cyclops/Danger Todd Robinson

Surf Rock Review: The Reventlos - Essential Reventlos/ Songs Of The Golden West

Essential Reventlos adequately covers all the genres that the group explores, fitting snugly in the surf-instro genre. What the group sounds like is a continually changing and evolving instrumental barrage of surf, instro, rock, and country. This is a brief general description of their sound. The recording is characterized by its hard, raw edge. It's a very appealing sound and works well with the type of tunes that the group performs.

Judging by the titles of the tracks, the boys are endeavoring to introduce you to various incarnations of a Reventlo. Dominated by quick-changing, razor-sharp musicianship, they offer non-stop audio pleasure. If you enjoy a lot of different sounds all on one CD, you will Love this. You are likely to hear several changes within a single song. This is an impressive debut that leaves you wanting more.

This group takes something intangible, such as music, and shapes and molds it into a tangible entity. I know this sounds weird, but it's not hard to envision this while listening.  The debut CD of The Reventlos, Songs Of The Golden West, is impressive, leaving you wanting more. It's remarkable due to the band's musical prowess and diversity.

Songs Of The Golden West is excellent. It's well-polished with precise and perfect sound. I have a hard time fathoming how these guys put together such a masterpiece of instrumental jewels like this CD. You can hear echoes of the golden west, but it's much more far-reaching than that. It's unrelenting, thundering, and high-powered diversification that clarifies the sound of The Reventlos on this outstanding effort.

If there is one instrumental CD that you buy this year, choose this one. This is what it's all about.  I can't think of one genre or sub-genre that the group doesn't cover under the umbrella of surf-instro on this session. Of course, they go above and beyond the confines of any one style or sound. It's a perfect example of incredible raw power showcasing superior musicians in their element of choice. I had to sit and listen to this one again after the first time to make sure it was really that good. It is.

I don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on the group, but I must say this: This effort will be arduous to surpass. I hope I'm one of the first to receive a copy of the next CD, that's for sure. If I were to rate this CD on a scale of 1 to 5, it would earn six stars. Okay, enough gushing.

This group reminds me of another instrumental giant, The Hellecasters. Ever hear of them? They are a group of session musicians from the Austin area. They play amazingly complex instrumental country-rock numbers at breakneck speed. This is the level of expertise that The Reventlos are on. You understand where I'm coming from by now, so get the CD!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

January 07, 2000

Tracks:

Essential Reventlos:

01. Death of a Reventlo

02. Reventlo Hayride

3. Planet Reventlo

04. Two Roys

05. Over the Falls

06. Pass the Cow (I think I'm Chet Baker)

07. El Pendejo

08. Persephone

09. Andromeda Sex Lounge

10. Western Stars

11. (Theme from) Maj Wood

12. Girl from Colonet

13. Meet Mr. Recently

14. King Kong

 

Songs Of The Golden West:

01. Fun Zone

02. Spahn Ranch Rodeo!

03. Haunted Valley

04. Stan Orlow

05. Crawl To The Reventlos

06. Mondo Reventlo

07. Groove, Part 1

08. Hey Andy

09. Crankheads of Elsinore

10. Greed and Lust

11. Oildale Girls

12. Veronica

13. 2227-A Pomona Avenue

 

Surf Instro Review: Fifty Foot Combo-Go Hunting!

https://www.facebook.com/fiftyfootcombo/

Fifty Foot Combo comes rolling in with a monster wave of surf-instro sounds on Go Hunting! This group's sound not only envelops you with high-energy waves of rapid-fire guitar riffs but also impresses with its diverse influences. Infused with big rock and roll power chords, sprinkled with lounge-exotica, and topped with a few drag races complete with the original hot rod sounds, their music is a testament to their versatility and skill.

Babes, cars, surfing, and monster movies - this encompasses only a few of the many facets of the surf music culture. When a group reflects the culture of the music in so many ways, it enables the artists to define the eclecticism of their chosen genre. The result is quality surf-instro music.

Many groups play simple progressions and nothing else, leaving each tune lacking substance. Other groups are talented enough to expand upon that singular style and utilize all the tools the subgenres have to offer. In retrospect, it adds new and different flavors to surf music.

Fifty Foot Combo boldly steps out, choosing to use all the tools of the trade effectively. This departure from the norm yields a powerful yet vibrant overall sound that is sure to intrigue even the most discerning surf music enthusiasts.

The beginning of the CD features a narration taken from an old Boris Karloff flick. This choice of introduction is significant as it sets the tone for the rest of the album, evoking the spirit of classic monster movies that have long been a part of surf music culture. Karloff, the iconic actor, speaks of 3,000-year-old mummies coming back to life, werewolves, and other monsters of the darkness. Right after that intro, the group kicks into high gear and never takes the foot off the pedal.

I appreciate the all-around effort of groups like Fifty Foot Combo. The colorful, 1960s-flavored traditional surf era artwork, with its vibrant colors, retro fonts, and numerous references to hot rods and girls, perfectly captures the essence of the surf music culture.

This is the essence of the surf music culture. The one track that got me pumped was "Drums A Go Go," with its tribal beat and non-stop action, with a beat that could raise those mummies right out of the tombs.

Besides being a kick ass surf group, they know how to get the entire message across. When all is said and done, it's still only rock and roll. Anyone who covers Link Wray's "Jack The Ripper" with such respect for the classic influences is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia in any surf music fan.

Keith ”MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 4, 2000

Tracks:

01. It's Alive   

02. The Tunnel  

03. Doe De Duff   

04. Inspection #5    

05. Robin Boy Wonder   

06. Dimitrius

07. The Brain From Planet X    

08. I Think I Shot Her    

09. Drums A Go Go   

10. The Escape    

11. Minesweeper

12. Hully Gully Stomp

Bonus Tracks:

13. SL 54 Automatic

14. Jack The Ripper