February Birthdays 
Here is what Brandonio Grainger had to say about the new Los Fantasticos album, The Devil WentDown to George Steet over on Rock is Dead RIP:
Brighton, England's instro kings are back with their forth roundup of mutilated reverb contortions, and quite possibly their finest release to date. The thing I like about these guys is they aren't afraid to stretch their creative boundaries. Earlier this year they were a part of the exceptional Il Triello three way spaghetti western split compilation. Well those three songs appear here as well with new versions.
Mephistopheles: With a bouncing rhythm lead- in, the action quickly takes a devilish turn and reverb starts to furiously blur along with trumpet bursts and frazzles. Way too short and quick.
Iron Horses: A multitude of varied guitar tones and playing techniques give this a unique flare. Galloping drums and quivering bass line keep things together yet there is uncertainty in the air. Dark and rusty!
First Tango In Paris: This certainly has a passionate component to it, but nothing all soft and mushy. The two guitar players Django and Self really arrange a beautiful and sophisticated intertwining of their six string instruments .A ukulele even makes a interesting appearance here.
Meanwhile Back In The Jungle: As if the title doesn't already give away a tribal vibe the various wild animal noises that open this track will. The jungle beat sets the pace and the surf guitars floods in like a playful tidal wave. Very adventurous and danceable.
La Corida de la Coruna: Possibly my favorite track here. It may be ultra cool fuzz drag in the beginning of this song that sets a brilliant tone for the rest of the band to play off of for its duration. Davie Allan probably wouldn't include such a thick European/Spanish rhythm, but this would make him blush with envy.
Kind Hearts And Castanets: Yes folks the title says Castanets these percussive instruments are primarily used in the Spanish culture. Basically hand held instruments giving off a strong clicking or rattling sound. They make a brief appearance here. Actually I was expecting a full on clickity-clack breakdown mid-song instead a unique wah wah guitar break along with a even more scarce use of the Castanets. The overall song is oozing with zesty charm and flaring percussive drive. Maybe during a live setting the band will really give this a Castanet shake up.
A Hard Day For The Magnificent 7: The acoustic guitars, the drums and cymbal taps almost unify in this promisingly hopeful number. Time to rest cowboy!
More Than Meets The Eye: Not really my cup of tea as it takes on too much of a happy vibe. Not terrible, but it just seems to be filler.
Parc de la Villette: Named after the astonishing park in Paris, this track takes on mystery and wonderment at the same time. The lurking drums ,smooth bass, and vibrato guitar gently and feverishly swoons over this like beautiful art.
The Devil Went Down To George Street: Probably the bluesiest track on the album. Slow and methodical yet with a Duane Eddy thunderous kick. A coaxing organ and cold rain wash away the evidence of the crime.
Last Stand: Blowing winds, outlaying horns and creeping slow western surf guitar make for a deathly vibe, but the punch of the strong arm drums give this one merit and grit. Another cool feature with this track is the eerie lonesome whistle synonymous with the spaghetti western genre.
The Wedge: The band decide to really slow down the intro to this Dick Dale classic, but other than that once the song gets going it's pretty stays true to the original except for it's nowhere near as brutal sounding as Dick pulls it off.
Solitario: Like a long lonesome ride in the dry desert sun, the double picking reverb squall, the less than triumphant trumpet, and down trodden drum pace makes for a sombre piece of music but those are the breaks for this lonesome cowboy. Beautifully arranged and certainly deserves the claim of masterpiece.
Los Fantasticos never ceases to impress and amaze me.
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