Best surf albums from “recording” point of view?

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Recording Corner »

Best surf albums from “recording” point of view?

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synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4535 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 07 2023 07:37 AM IceratzSurf wrote: So for best quality recording in the 60s original Surf era, what would be considered some of the best? I think the Ventures probably had the better studio resources. But which album? I would also nominate the Astronauts, who I believe were recorded at Capital’s studio. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
CaptainSensible Joined: Nov 08, 2006 Posts: 650 Leesburg, VA	Posted on Oct 07 2023 08:56 AM IceratzSurf wrote: So for best quality recording in the 60s original Surf era, what would be considered some of the best? I think the Ventures probably had the better studio resources. But which album? I actually prefer stuff that sounds a little rougher, if you will. Like it was recorded with the whole band playing all the way through with a simpler recording setup, rather than each instrument in isolation using the 15th take (or a mix of takes). — Sean Last edited: Oct 07, 2023 09:44:20 Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3846 North Atlantic	Posted on Oct 07 2023 11:07 AM For the first wave recordings I really like Wes Dakus’s tracks done at Norman Petty’s studio, and the Revels. Rev — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
LosVenturas Joined: Feb 10, 2011 Posts: 443 Antwerp, Belgium	Posted on Oct 09 2023 03:50 PM To me the Lively Ones albums on Del-fi sounded amazing. Cheers, Andy — www.LosVenturas.be Top
Fronkensurf Joined: Jul 29, 2014 Posts: 55 Cincinnati	Posted on Oct 11 2023 12:41 PM For modern albums, I agree that A Glorious Lethal Euphoria by the Mermen and As the Dark Wave Swells by The Bambi Molesters are the gold standard. Both have such fantastic, original guitar sounds as well as solid production. As far as first wave stuff, I like the incredible crisp, clear and warm tones created by Bob Bogle and Don Wilson on The Ventures Mashed Potatoes and Gravy album. I read somewhere that the producer actually mic'd Bob and Don's right hands as well as mic'ing the amps. I've been listening to it for over 40 years and I still love it. Top
ArtS Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 1392 Isle of Kent, MD	Posted on Oct 11 2023 07:35 PM The Diamondheads at Dusk Viva Los Straitjackets Throwback I like The Sentinels -Big Surf especially where the bass dies out during the break... — Surf.The most dangerous of genres... Surfcat MARCH OF THE DEAD SURFERS! (2024) - Agent Octopus THE JOURNEY HOME - Free download (2025) - Agent Octopus (Single) BANDCAMP - Agent Octopus YOUTUBE - Agent Octopus Surf BANDCAMP - Reverb Galaxy Top
aqualadius Joined: Aug 30, 2010 Posts: 415 Charlotte, NC	Posted on Oct 12 2023 08:11 AM I think the Eddie and the Showmen recordings are my favorite first wave studio productions. There's so much instrumentation and yet the balance and clarity is perfect. It's a great attempt at a Dick Dale-esque sound, while still sort of having a bit of that wrecking crew super polished studio thing as well. I would love to hear any outtakes or extras on these recordings. — Jeremy Last edited: Oct 12, 2023 08:13:38 Top
IlyaFedotov Joined: Jan 19, 2021 Posts: 11 Arkhangelsk	Posted on Oct 12 2023 10:47 AM For me it's Messer Chups, especially the latest recordings. Love the drum sound, pretty old-fashioned and smooth as opposed to some modern surf bands, but maybe it's just the drummer's technique. The bass is also vintage without low-frequency hum. With the guitar you can't get any better. This EP is great in terms of mixing — Sovietwave surf band 'Volny Sovetov' Bandcamp: https://volnysovetov.bandcamp.com Youtube (VS and other stuff): https://www.youtube.com/@user-lm8nl5km7h Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsurf93 VK: https://vk.com/volnysovetov Legko na serdce ot pesni vesyoloi Top
Klas Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2309 Stockholm, Sweden	Posted on Oct 13 2023 11:37 AM I like it when the various instruments have to fight a bit for their space... — T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4535 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 13 2023 01:01 PM IlyaFedotov wrote: For me it's Messer Chups, especially the latest recordings. Love the drum sound, pretty old-fashioned and smooth as opposed to some modern surf bands, but maybe it's just the drummer's technique. The bass is also vintage without low-frequency hum. With the guitar you can't get any better. This EP is great in terms of mixing I hear what you are talking about. This is First Class, all the way. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4535 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Oct 13 2023 01:09 PM IlyaFedotov wrote: For me it's Messer Chups, especially the latest recordings. Love the drum sound, pretty old-fashioned and smooth as opposed to some modern surf bands, but maybe it's just the drummer's technique. The bass is also vintage without low-frequency hum. With the guitar you can't get any better. This EP is great in terms of mixing I just listened to your band and like what I hear. Very tasteful and, IMO, a great presentation. It’s a sparse sound, and I like that. The guitar is front and center, where it belongs. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Last edited: Oct 13, 2023 13:17:55 Top
IlyaFedotov Joined: Jan 19, 2021 Posts: 11 Arkhangelsk	Posted on Oct 14 2023 08:44 AM I just listened to your band and like what I hear. Very tasteful and, IMO, a great presentation. It’s a sparse sound, and I like that. The guitar is front and center, where it belongs. Thank you, Synchro! Wish the audio on this one was better though. Guitaracula playing is a big influence for me. This track is a kind of homage to MC in terms of guitar technique and melody. Check more tunes on Bandcamp, this one will also be uploaded soon. — Sovietwave surf band 'Volny Sovetov' Bandcamp: https://volnysovetov.bandcamp.com Youtube (VS and other stuff): https://www.youtube.com/@user-lm8nl5km7h Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsurf93 VK: https://vk.com/volnysovetov Legko na serdce ot pesni vesyoloi Top
peanutswilson Joined: Oct 13, 2023 Posts: 17 Leigh	Posted on Jan 22 2024 04:25 AM CaptainSensible wrote: I prefer stuff recorded in the 60s better than stuff recorded today. I definitely find there is a certain atmosphere to the old recordings often absent in more contemporary albums. Too much high frequency and not enough room sound. Everything sounding up front. I dunno, I'm a bit of an amateur as far as the studio is concerned but that's my general sense. There's a softness to those old recordings that I find totally consuming. Even the more aggressive numbers. Could just be low-fi approach(by modern standards) and old tape/vinyl rips? Some faves would be The Sentinals - Latin'ia The Irridescents - Bali Ha'i The Centurions - Intoxica The Surfmen - Paradise Cove Bob Hafner - Surf Creature Richie Allen - Ballad of the Surf (even though I can only find a really poor quality digital copy) The Lively Ones - Caterpillar Crawl The Frantics - Werewolf The Crossfires - Fiberglass Jungle The Fender IV - Malibu Run (The very psychedelic slow strolling 2:45min version, there's some footage of Randy Holden playing it live on YT) And then a whole host of stuff by The Rumblers, not strictly surf I but I love the atmosphere on those records Angry Sea (Waimea) Night Scene Destruction Lost Weekend Many of these aren't the best recordings technically. Many are not even typical of the genre or showcase the kind of guitar playing one might expect from a surf guitar favourites list but once all those various elements are combined that music transports me somewhere else. There's so many more but that's a sample. I used to hate the saxophone tunes when I was a kid but now it's often my favourite part. Top
peanutswilson Joined: Oct 13, 2023 Posts: 17 Leigh	Posted on Jan 22 2024 04:44 AM Oh Yeah, Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuDb9hwwcMQ And YES to the Astronauts and Dave Myers, Aquavelva should have been on my list! Also love some of the more Hi-fi stuff like Jack Nitzsche - Lonely Surfer, Last Race and Jerry Cole - Deep Surf I could go on but I won't. Top
Paddy_O_Surfer Joined: Apr 05, 2025 Posts: 44 Yukon	Posted on Apr 05 2025 01:46 PM chiba wrote: The Surfrajettes' full-length, Roller Fink, pops to mind. I really love this record. All the roller rink announcements and sound effects are a nice touch. — 867 Surf Squad! Top
Paddy_O_Surfer Joined: Apr 05, 2025 Posts: 44 Yukon	Posted on Apr 05 2025 01:47 PM IceratzSurf wrote: Neon Boneyard by the Black Flamingos ..is high on my list of quality recordings, only available on Bandcamp, so does that count? I agree with those saying Aqua Velvets too. Probably Nomad being the best. Neon Boneyard is fantastic! Of course, it's now available on vinyl through Hi-Tide. — 867 Surf Squad! Top
Paddy_O_Surfer Joined: Apr 05, 2025 Posts: 44 Yukon	Posted on Apr 05 2025 01:55 PM The Babalooneys' "Late to the Party!" is my current top pick. I love the sound of that record. The hot rod sounds are fantastic too! — 867 Surf Squad! Top
johnnyanguish Joined: Dec 11, 2024 Posts: 29 Waltham, MA	Posted on Apr 06 2025 06:08 AM Another vote for "Amateurs" by Les Agamemnonz for me. That one's pretty much perfect in my book. Sounds classic and timeless. Definitely less drippy and treble-y than most modern records. — Listen to The Deathly Quiet Bandcamp Spotify Instagram Facebook Top
arny Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 614 Netherlands, Europe	Posted on Apr 06 2025 11:26 AM I love live albums, one of our best sellings albums of Aloha Sluts is Live at Hotrodded Bulfrog. My personal favorites are Phantom Fours 'Live at the Diepte' (recorded on VHS tape!) with one of the best versions of the classic 'Latinia' and phantom Four 'Live at Pacific Parc'. But the last one is a bit biased, because I shot the cover photo — www.alohasluts.com Aloha Sluts on BandCamp www.arnyzona.com (my photography) Aloha Fest on facebook Last edited: Apr 06, 2025 11:27:22 Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4535 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Apr 06 2025 12:03 PM johnnyanguish wrote: Another vote for "Amateurs" by Les Agamemnonz for me. That one's pretty much perfect in my book. Sounds classic and timeless. Definitely less drippy and treble-y than most modern records. I’ve noticed that some newer Surf recordings go over the top with reverb drip and brightness, sometimes to the point of being harsh. Some vintage Surf recordings were pretty mellow. Dick Dale’s Summer Surf was anything but harsh. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top

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