Pollo Del Mar - Speed of Dark (MuSick Recordings)

Pollo Del Mar (PDM) is back with their first release since retiring in 2012 and it’s a welcome addition to both their catalog and instrumental music as a whole. The music on this 11-track disc is phenomenal! There is a complexity and sophistication to the writing that requires numerous listens to absorb the gravity of what’s presented. Guitar enthusiasts will no doubt be ecstatic. Their hype machine calls it, “gloriously written and scorchingly performed psych-prog surf instrumentals.” You should expect nothing less. That being said, it’s still an approachable record for the rest of us plebeians.

The title track is also the opening number, “Speed of Dark.” At its basic level, light is made up of photon particles. What is the substance or nature of dark? Anti-photons? Contra-photons? No. Dark is simply the absence of light. It can’t be measured but it can be felt. Perhaps that is the juxtaposition that PDM wants to illuminate: what is and what is not, the intangible that can only be experienced. Let’s put the philosophy aside and ponder the music. “Speed of Dark” begins with a flurry of drums and a squealing guitar all within the first 15 seconds. Then, as if they changed their minds, a funky groove appears. Next, we find ourselves with a spaced-out measure. It fits the cover art perfectly. The funk returns (for a moment) and then we encounter a wailing guitar solo. It’s quite the ride. “Inner Sunset” keeps us philosophical (I guess we can’t avoid it on this album) being based on the notion of ennui (pronounced ahn-we). The concept of ennui is one or weariness, listlessness, or dissatisfaction with a lack of fulfillment in life; a longing for more. To me, this song is more upbeat and hopeful. Maybe that’s the point - an encouragement to not only long for more but to have the courage to chase hard after your dreams. The song is a bit dreamy. I picture more of a sunrise than a sunset. However, the sun must set before it rises again; the dawning of a new day.

The third track, “Surfin’ with Keith” has a bluesy feel as you might expect, being the world’s first surf music homage to Keith Richards and The Rolling Stones. While Stones fans will pick up on the influence it’s still undeniably a PDM tune as there is no singular inspiration being expressed. While all 4:22 of the song is a party for your ears, the last minute is steady groovin’!

Not wasting any time bringing the energy back, “Wabi Sabi” kicks off with some electrifying guitar work. Wabi sabi is a Japanese concept about finding beauty in the simple, imperfect, and impermanent. It’s a humbling proposition, asking us to accept the shortcomings in life with grace. The song invites us into that dance. Like a day in your life, the song is filled with highs and lows, stops and starts; each movement different but dependent upon the last. It’s fun to hear the two guitars dancing with one another; separate yet synergistic. Embracing wabi sabi, we’re treated to a refreshingly unexpected experience of Mr. Turner’s bellowing bass. Our nearly four-minute journey into the liminal realm ends with a classic rock ’n roll jam. How’s that for taking us through the emotions of life? The tune, “Pose of Awareness” is named after a yoga position designed to bring the practitioner relaxation and peace. These are two key ingredients in achieving awareness (no matter what practice you choose). What starts mid-tempo with a driving feel from the galloping bass lines, takes the speed up a notch and then winds itself down to a calm, tranquil, and almost trippy vibe. That moment of peace and serenity in the midst of a hectic day. Ever so gracefully, the song ramps back up with a crescendo of vigor. A small reminder that the hustle and bustle of life is still there when we come back down the mountain.

PDM’s 2004 album was named, The Golden State, however, it did not contain a track named, “The Golden State.” Although a version did appear on Frankie & The Pool Boys’ 2021 compilation, The Wet Season, the song serenading California took over 20 years to germinate from its initial writing into what we hear today. Like the state of California, this song is beautiful. The players swim in many streams of influence on this number. The opening has the feel of country song of all things. From there, we sail throughout the region tasting musical flavors as varied as California herself. There are highs and lows, twists and turns similar to both the topography and the demographic. It’s a song to be listened to and experienced more than described with words. When the tour ends, we find ourselves right back where we began - home.

Track nine is a cover of The Pyronauts, “Sifaka” from their 2006 album, Surf and Destroy. This lemur-inspired listening experience was added to PDM’s repertoire when Paul Beatie -who wrote the song- joined PDM for a short tour in 2007. Imagine one skeleton inhabiting two different bodies (at different times, of course) and that’s what you have here. The Pyronauts had the surf anatomy and PDM the prog physique. It’s a fun song and a fitting tribute to a friend and fellow musician. “Surfacing” is part vintage, part rock anthem! Could you picture Ferenc in his fedora with 80s glam hair and a black leather jacket? That should give you an idea of what’s going on here.

When Don Quixote drops his noble title and becomes a saint, you get, “San Quixote.” (A version of this song also appeared on Frankie’s 2018, Spin the Bottle CD.) The liner notes describe this revived iteration of Cervantes’ character as the “patron saint of the misguided.” While that is humorous, there’s nothing misguided about this song. It has the feel of telling an epic story. I could see this being the soundtrack to that 1977 cartoon version of The Hobbit. Jeremy gives his hi-hat and ride cymbals a workout and the bass features prominently. “Secrets in a Wooden Rose,” the tenth track and third longest song starts with a captivating and funky bass intro. The guitars play a range of emotions; some intense, some funky. Add in some female vocalizing and this puts the “psych” in psych-prog. We’re back in the realm of the surreal. If the image of a wooden rose is confounding this song may give you an impression of that possibility.

The CD has a bonus track, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck’s, “Beck’s Bolero.” Featuring the band’s new drummer, this cover is well-played and was a timely testimonial to the recently departed.
Overall, this album is an excellent and engaging emotional space ride. Any intrepid musical galaxian who dares to don his space suit and brave the uncharted regions of (musical) space will be grateful for the encounter.

An expanded (and more readable) version of the liner notes is available as a PDF online at https://pollosurf.com/ The CD, with a 43-minute runtime, is delivered in a digipak / flexitray. The vinyl version is described as, “hot space pink.” If the numbers are important to you, there are 200 CDs and 500 LPs.

All formats available at: https://pollodelmarsurf.bandcamp.com/album/speed-of-dark/

As reviewed in Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 1

Matthew
Purchasae Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 2

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Email: Matthew_e_clark_6@hotmail.com

Last edited: Oct 23, 2024 10:51:15