I was going to do a year end list but instead ended up focusing primarily on my favorite album from 2015. I wrote it with a Facebook post in mind so much has been covered here already far more eloquently.

The Madeira's "Ancient Winds" stands like a giant above all other releases from 2015. In fact, I might go so far as to say it's the greatest surf album of all time. "Journey To The Center Of The Surf" kicks off and doesn't waste any time, barraging the listeners ears and corroborating Jamie Galatas' description of the band's sound as 'power surf'. There are some outstanding collaborations including The Atlantics' Jim Skaithitis ("The Argonaut") and The TomorrowMen's Danny Snyder ("Sirenia") starting with the second track "Hail, Poseidon", co-written by Aqualads, The Monterreys, and Southern Surf Stomp's own Jeremy DeHart. It's no secret that I'm a sucker for big productions but with The Madeira, it's highly unnecessary as they are a group whose members are some of the greatest instrumentalists in their (or any) genre and the songwriting is unparalleled. With that said however, the subtle flourishes such as the introduction of the acoustic guitar on the title track are a nice touch. The highlight for me is by far the sixth and seventh tracks, "Farthest Shore" and "Dawn In Cadiz" (co-written with Los Twang Marvels' Alex Faide). The latter is thoughtful and patient, the delayed guitar plays like water droplets in the more staccato passages which then blossom into the hope of a new day, much like the dawn. After these seven minutes of some of the finest instrumental music ever written resides the sole cover, The Atlantics' "Coral Island". To be honest, it's the only track standing in the way of "Ancient Winds"' perfection in my opinion as it seems out of place, clumsy and awkward among the powerful and modern originals. The album plays out like an epic, taking the listener on a heroic journey not unlike that of Odysseus. I absolutely love the music, the concept, and even the beautiful artwork which would look positively stunning on a record sleeve, hint hint.

The Squares - 1995-2002
The Mystery Men? - 2012-
MOONBASE - 2012-2017
The KBK - 2017-2022
The Frigidaires 2021-
Southern Surf Stomp!

i have just order the album ,then i haven't read this topics and listen the songs ,to have a fresh hear and not to be oriented
hope he come soon

Congratulations and as always, well deserved!

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

Ivan

Congratulations on the Madeira's success! Well deserved.

Rev

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

Congrats Ivan!

"as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"

https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/

Thank you all very much!

I'll include the new Pipeline playlist here, but I haven't gotten the review yet. I'll post when I get it. (I'm sure y'all can't wait! )

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Last edited: Jan 12, 2016 12:04:09

Excellent review! Congrats again Madeira!

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
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"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

Completely coming out of nowhere, we found out a few hours ago that we are The Atomic Grog's Band of the Week!! And they gave Ancient Winds some really nice comments! Here's what they write on their website. Thank you very much, The Atomic Grog and Slammie Productions!

BAND/MUSIC OF THE WEEK: The Madeira
When you think of instrumental surf music, you immediately think “retro.” Sure, the genre has seen significant revivals over the years, but the general perception is still based on the legends of the past and the style’s inherent conventions. But unbeknownst to the mainstream, there’s a growing wave of progressive, inventive surf music being created across the world with The Madeira riding the crest. Ancient Winds, released in September on Double Crown Records, is The Madeira’s crowning achievement, gaining overwhelming praise from press and fans around the world. The band’s fourth full-length studio album (and sixth release overall) is a wonderfully diverse record, combining the band’s impeccable musicianship with inventive songwriting to create what’s justifiably been called the surf album of 2015. Chad Shivers of Southern Surf Stomp even calls it “the greatest surf album of all time.” Yes, it’s that good. [Stream free preview tracks] The album kicks off with Journey to the Center of the Surf and takes listeners on a epic adventure through 12 original songs, plus a cover of Coral Island by The Atlantics. This is not all shiny, happy surf music. It’s also dark and intense. The theme involves the Mediterranean, and the music is decidedly European in its classicism. Ancient Winds features songwriting collaborations with many revered surf musicians, including members of The Atlantics, Los Twang Marvels and the TomorrowMen. The Madeira formed in 2004 in Indianapolis and features lead guitarist Ivan Pongracic of the 1990s instrumental surf icons the Space Cossacks.

http://www.slammie.com/atomicgrog/blog/2016/01/27/the-week-in-tiki-jan-1-15-2016-new-tikis-to-rise-at-the-mai-kai-lost-lake-honored-smugglers-cove-book-release-tiki-in-south-beach-plus-more/#band

Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube

Noel wrote:

It's impossible to overstate how fabulous this album is. It's epic!

Yep, +1 !
Congrats on the Band Of The Week but they might want to change that to decade!

Cheers,
Jeff

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

I'm embarrassed to admin that I've been waaaaay behind the curve on the latest Madeira album. I've listened to it several times over the past couple of months, but only recently have I really dug into it and I'm just blown away by this one.

Several tunes harken back to Space Cossacks-era melody structures much more than any other Madeira release to my ears. Also, there is much more melancholy in the medlodies and those melodies are really 3-dimensional.

I won't go into a song for song analysis because I'm still just enjoying the hell out of listening to this epic album. I will say that the clear stand out for me is Dawn in Cadiz without question. In my opinion it is the most endearing song that Ivan has written since Jewel of Duende. I'm also just learning that Alex co-wrote that one? Yes, makes sense. Such a beautiful song. It has quickly become my current favorite song in the modern surf music canon.

The album has plenty of trademark Madeira burners, which is great, but its the other, more subtle tunes that really stand out to me. For instance, I think that Into the Deep is such a fantastic closer.

All in all I think this is clearly The Maderia's (and Ivan's) finest moment on record. Congratulations to an incredibly compelling band that I've really been a huge fan of over the years. They continue to produce incredibly powerful and emotive music!

Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook