Customer Reviews

Murder On Beaver Street

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall this is well-played instrumental surf music of a gentle nature. I have no idea where the group came up with song titles like "The Mummy's Curse," "Shallow Grave," or "Death, Death, Death." There is nothing eerie or ominous about any of it. In fact this CD could be played in the background of a quiet get-together with friends and set a very nice ambience. It is worth owning but don't buy it expecting music in the "horror surf" genre.

R66K's debut album still holds a firm place in my itunes daily rotation. Great guitar riffs and, at times, explosive drums make this a worthwhile music investment for anyone just getting into the genre or long-time fans of Dick Dale. You won't be disappointed with this album.

Now, if only the band would return from Germany, we could enjoy some shows stateside.

This CD is great. If you are looking for a different type of music other than the same old pop music out these days, pick up this CD!!! You can feel the soul in the instruments these guys play and you WILL be caught dancing or jumping around!!! This is the best surf I have heard!!!

When I was looking for some new music, I was searching bands like The Penetrators, the Ghastly Ones etc. Then these guys popped up and I bought it based on it's reviews. It has a pretty cool sound and I do not find myself skipping through the songs. I never spend my money on things that I am not sure if I'll like it, I took a chance and I am not disappointed. I hope this is a good example, a few songs reminds me of that Spanish guitar style music, but Russian. It's cool. I like it!! Just buy it.

The mythology surrounding The Route 66 Killers, is that the band members are all Russians who escaped from a Siberian prison camp, and somehow found their way to the vicinity of Flagstaff, Arizona, near what was once the famed Route 66. It was there in 2003, that the band which includes Sergei Fleminkov on lead guitar, Ivan Gryohznii (Vanya Vorlukavitch) on rhythm guitar, Katarina Molotova on bass, and Sasha Varvarshi on the drums, recorded their debut album, Murder on Beaver Street.

The album features a strong set of instrumental tunes that mostly fall in the surf genre. The sound has some unusual flavorings, mixing in dark minor tonalities, Dick Dale style flutter picking, flamenco stylings, Eastern European musical influences, with some hints of American cowboy and spaghetti western music. The results are some cool tunes with a gentle groove. There is a little of the horror vibe, but despite some suggestive song titles, the music is not very aggressive or loud, and the drumming is very understated. Hardly upbeat party tunes, but there is no dark evil vibe here. These mostly downbeat instrumentals are more to be savored, rather than gulped down. The sound is quite pure, mostly just the four instruments. There are few ripping guitar solos, or supporting keyboards. Really good stuff, if you are looking for something different and a little moody, in the surf arena.

The band seems to have some odd ideas about marketing themselves, making the claim that listening to their music causes a slow and painful death. This is an assertion that is hardly positive, and completely without merit, as their music is non-toxic with no traces of evil. With a name like Route 66 Killers, there may be some preconceptions, and playing up the dark side is no doubt done in fun, but there is just no substance there. The band might be better served by adopting an approach that appeals to listeners, rather than potentially dissuading them.