Reviews

REVERB CENTRAL - PHIL DIRT

Lava Pups - Into the Flow ***

Paul The Pyronaut plays rhythm on this recording from one of his guitar students. Bill T. has been only playing for a short while, so there are imperfections in delivery, but I have to agree with Paul about the caliber of the songs. Given time to flesh out arrangements and become more fluid on guitar, the strong writing on these songs will evolve into excellent surf instros.
Picks: Into The Flow, Link Man, Out Of The Vortex, Sea Witch, Pacifica Blue, Lava Tube, Magma Runner

Track by Track Review

Into The Flow ***
Surf (Instrumental)
"Into The Flow" is an easy going track with a catchy melody riff. Superb rhythm patterns provide the best light in which the melody can unfold. I like the melody a lot. The lead is tentative in places, but if you're not a player, you may not notice.

Link Man ***
Surf (Instrumental)
The melody structure of "Link Man" is reminiscent of "Into The Flow" in places, but distinctly different for the most part. Interesting ideas.

Out Of The Vortex ***
Surf (Instrumental)
"Out Of The Vortex" is an interestingly written song, with good arranging. The surf-pop nature of the melody is catchy, and the dramatic changes interesting too.

Sea Witch ***
Surf (Instrumental)
Whammy chords, and rough glissandos drive a very cool song. There's development work needed here, but this is a fine piece of writing and a satisfying listen. It reminds me a bit of "Surf Punk" from Shark Bait.

Pacifica Blue ****
Surf (Instrumental)
Gentle island chords and imagery flow from this soothing number. "Pacifica Blue" provides a lovely view of clear and placid waters on a summer afternoon. Very easy to like.

Lava Tube ****
Surf (Instrumental)
"Lava Tube" is among the most engaging tracks here, with a fine melody, dribbling double picked lines, chunky rhythm, and an endearing sound. A bit sad, but still playful.

Magma Runner ***
Surf (Instrumental)
"Magma Runner" is a bit riffy at times, and somewhat tentative, but there's promise in the muted rhythm, drums, and bass. and some nice passages. Potential for excellence.

The Cruncher ***
Surf (Instrumental)
A pleasant melody delivered tentatively over a surf bed. As this gets fleshed out and more liquefied, it will become a very cool song.
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"NEW" GANDY DANCER - ISSUE 97
 
Davy Peckett - 4 stars/4 stars 

"All originals . . . and this is the sound we like!  Crystal clear, sixties style playing on stuff we haven't heard before. . . . Well performed . . . the best track . . . is 'Link Man' a rousing 12 bar delivered with panache."



PANACHE!  WE LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT!
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PIPELINE - No. 86 - Summer 2011
Alan Taylor

". . . . along with tasty reverb guitar sounds, the arrangements are one of this album's strengths.  Underpinned by solid bass of Don Bazinet, spirited drumming from Glenn Kohlmeister is another plus. . . . Paul's strong rythms and tasty fills add useful embellishment. . . . this is a promising debut . . . .



POTENTIAL AND ENCOURAGEMENT!  COOL!
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5 STARS/5 STARS
Sur La Route de Memphis No. 104
Bernard Boyat
". . . . Au boulot, les gars, on en veut plus!"


 
THREE REVIEWS IN FRENCH; NOW 5 STARS!

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ROCK AND ROLL REVUE No. 57
Bernard Boyat - June 2011

"Certains groupes actual de Surf instrumental se laissent . . . . Ils s'en tiennent a un son de guitare comme on l'aime . . . . Au boulot, les gars!



HUH?  SEND TRANSLATIONS!
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LE CRI DU COYOTE - 123-124
Bernard Boyat (reviewer and translator)

“The ‘Chiots de la lave’ (Lava Pups), as their name goes, are a surf instrumental band hailing from Sacramento . . . . On their first CD, which contains self-penned tunes only, you can find, among the tracks, their influences, sometimes entangled:  Dick Dale, Link Wray, Duane Eddy, the Belairs, Atlantics or Ventures, even the Shadows.  They have the good taste, unlike other current surf instrumental bands, of not using distortion or synthesizer, which leads to a guitar sound as we like it, clear and precise.  A pity the CD has only 8 tracks.  We hope for more on the next one!”



AMAZING - U.S., THEN THE U.K. AND FRANCE!
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