April Birthdays 
The Dead Beat - Certified Beachcombers
Boy, howdy! Certified Beachcomber is quite a treat. many songs borrow classic lines or progressions, yet the affect if refreshing and engaging. Very cool whammy with some imaginative and well executed ideas.
Picks: Big Boss, Return.... Of Big Boss, Whet Beat, Surfstroke, Beach Comber, Sandstorm, Spinning Boards, Mystery Cove, Thou Shall Surf, Johnson's Beach, Venture 8, Exotic, Ebb Tide, Scalpin, Shore Break, Surf Noir
Track by Track Review
Big Boss
Surf (Instrumental)
This very short blast features a fine little riff and glissandos, with whammy chord twang and a solid beat.
Return.... Of Big Boss
Surf (Instrumental)
Modestly paced, "Return.... Of Big Boss" is built around a Henry Mancini-ish riff, with all the grin and pop that requires. You may not be humming this one, but you will leave it with a grin.
Whet Beat
Surf (Instrumental)
A very cool drum beat with some nods to Bo Diddley drives this almost tribal number home. "Whet Beat" is very original and quite fun. Glissandos, two interdependent guitars, and a splashy grin.
Surfstroke
Surf (Instrumental)
With a Middle Eastern melody line and tremolo charm, "Surfstroke" really engages. Mysterious, with tribal drums and a splendid bass line. I found myself coming back to this track several time. Simply cool, with rapid whammy chords. string swipes, and exotic themes.
Beach Comber
Surf (Instrumental)
Pumped up and ready to go, "Beach Comber" runs up and down the beach in search of rideable shore break and a handout. Excellent chords, rich surf tone, and a light hearted approach.
Sandstorm
Surf (Instrumental)
Borrowing from The Surfaris' "Scatter Shield" at times, and accented with pick slides, "Sandstorm" is a splendidly cool track that surely could have been born in '64. Very cool!
Spinning Boards
Surf (Instrumental)
String swipe fun, whammy chords, a very serviceable melody line, and an effective rhythm section add up to a nicely concocted instro. The writing is part sixties surf, and part nineties surf revival, a compelling combination.
Mystery Cove
Surf (Instrumental)
Mid tempo with a circular rhythm pattern and whammy chords. The progression and whammy are the key, making the aural scenery much more important than the melody line. Tuff, yet easy.
Thou Shall Surf
Surf (Instrumental)
Infectious and rhythmic, "Thou Shall Surf" is part sixties and part now. it uses part of the chord progressions from The Super Stocks' "Midnight Run" and The Original Surfaris' "Moment Of Truth." While these are obvious reference points, it's also different enough to stand on its own.
Johnson's Beach
Surf (Instrumental)
Easy going, with tremolo shimmer and a little used cadence, with whammy chords and a playful riff. "Johnson's Beach" is very fun, a little goofy, and quite endearing.
Venture 8
Surf (Instrumental)
Dribbling double picking at times, and open notes and big whammy chords the rest of the time. Fun and spunky.
Exotic
Surf (Instrumental)
Bruce Morgen's classic "Exotic" is arranged very differently, and employs a slightly modified melody line a la Bob Vaught. This is among the most original arrangements that isn't on the assault end of the spectrum. Very nice!
Ebb Tide
Surf (Instrumental)
Big splash and pick slide spunk, with a cycling melody riff. Well crafted, with borrowings from "Bat Man." Just fun.
Scalpin
Surf (Instrumental)
Chunky and splashy, with lots of string action over a solid backtrack. Plenty to enjoy here, and likely a crowd pleaser live due to all the pick slides!
Shore Break
Surf (Instrumental)
Modified line from Dave Myers and the Surftones' "Road To Rincon" follow an introduction right off "Miserlou." OK, but that doesn't diminish its cool factor. "Shore Break" is exciting and engaging.
Surf Noir
Surf (Instrumental)
Demented, tortured fuzz guitar warbles its way atop a delicate muted surf rhythm. Big and lumbering cool, with no shortage of wow factor. The long sustain fuzz is Davie Allan-ish, while the backtrack is surf lounge perfect. Very cool!
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http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDeadBeatSurfClub
http://thedeadbeat3.bandcamp.com/album/certified-beachcomber
