Customer Reviews

Ultra Sonic Surf Guitars

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Ultra Sonic marks a significant departure for the Eliminators. It also retains their signature sound. Adding sophistication, country, and excellent arranging to their crunchy sound, and reducing the reverb on the rhythm guitar, all add up to excellent listening. It's good to hear new material from this rarest of bands, real longboarders playing real surf music. All 14 surf instros are winners.

PARAFIN JUNGLE*** This is an excursion into sonic territory that the Eliminators have not previously ventured, the land of Memphis flavored instros, where gig flowing notes and effected country twang rule. It's melodic and prancing, with an excellent sax break from Billy Swanson.

E-FIVE**** Big twang reverb, ringing chords, and a shimmering sounds await as Joe Kurkowski's guitar floats on a sea of shallow vibrato. The break is a mean double picked low-E grind followed by a great and gentle vibrato riff. "E-Five" is big and very satisfying.

CROSS STEPPIN'**** Damped rhythms and moody bass under flowing lead chords give way to a great riff, and then the backtrack transitions into a cool solid beat with ska rhythm guitar. This is an infectious and haunting track, with power and excellent arranging.

DR. JELLY FINGER**** An effect electronic whirring keyboard excursion over solid damped rhythm guitar and a sorta B-52's progression, and quirky surf lead guitar. Quite an unusual track. The page of "Dr. Jelly Finger" followed by the evil laugh identifies "Dr. Jelly Finger" as a proctologist who enjoys his work and your discomfort. Pretty darn cool.

THE BREEZE & I**** Ernesto Lacuoña's classic melody is beautifully played out. This is just about as good as it gets, just shy of the exquisite Vibrants' version. The shimmering tone and delicate playing are perfect for the melody. The flute verse gives in an exotic air.

This is a must have CD. See these guy in person. They are still together & doing shows.

Yeah, just get it.

These guys are good, really good. They and this CD are the essence of what Surf Instrumentals are about. I would rate the individual tracks on this CD from about 3 1/2 stars to 5 stars. The addition of the sax is great--okay, maybe not an essential in the genre but I like it and it works. The quality of the playing is very good to excellent. Quality of the recording is excellent throughout. Originality may be the only weak point but there's enough interesting stuff here that you won't be bored I'd bet.

Bottom line: If you surf/surf revival then this one is a must have. Same thing even if you just like instrumental guitars.

I love this album. It has smooth ocean and pounding waves which I think all surf music albums should have as a minimum standard. The music is terrific particularly Aloha Hell, Long Live the king and Point Conception. It is a really good album with skilled performers and music that stays in your head for some time after. Give it a listen.