January Birthdays 
Pointbreak – Ming Dynamite CD (Surf Cookie)
At first thought, Dublin, Ireland conjures up images of cold water crashing into rocky shores and intimidating crags. It’s a stark contrast to what my mind’s eye envisions of a sunny beach in California. We’d expect a band to have a style influenced by the terrain of their homeland, yet with Pointbreak, we hear “the warm California sun” combined with influences as varied as the fish in the sea.
From the first notes of the opening track, “Tiger Hour" you’d be certain you were listening to traditional surf music from the clever picking to the abundantly present saxophone. When you thought your sea legs were intact, “Wall’s Boutique” presents a jazzy number with some 60s-style keys. The waves continue to shift with “You Ain’t No Cowboy.” It’s horn-centric, rock ‘n roll ditty with a Spaghetti Western flair. I dig the bass guitar work on this tune. The title track, “Ming Dynamite” possesses influences from a handful of familiar decades. You might want to call this groovy rock ‘n roll until you hear the call-and-response with the guitar and sax. It's energetic and lively until the calm saxophone interlude. It’s a unique and unpredictable mix yet strangely coherent. “The Dripping Forecast” comes in the fifth slot. It is a surfed-out number with the band’s signature sax and a surprisingly enjoyable airy flute piping its melodies. You may think you have your finger on the band’s pulse and then the robotic, rock ‘n roll “Four Can Frogman” fills the airwaves. Did I mention the tremolo picking in this track? “Titans” slows the pace allowing a little reprieve from the eclectic amalgam of styles. “Jack the Ripper” is the eighth track and is a clever interpretation of the Link Wray ditty. “Gatto Nero" is a thrilling tune with some imaginative picking, the requisite sax, and the delightful squeal of the eerie theremin. The tenth tune, “Jack’s Bad” is a peppy, jazzy thing that’s sure to have you polishing your dancing shoes for a swingin’ time on the dance floor. An Alt Take of “Tiger Hour” concludes the album with a rumbling rendition of the opener suitable for Link Wray himself.
There are 11 tunes with a 33-minute runtime. The 300 CDs are housed in a gatefold sleeve. The black vinyl LP is limited to 200 copies. Primary colors representing exploding Dynamite adorn the cover. To find out if this mixture of wide-ranging styles appeals to you, order at: https://pointbreak-ie.bandcamp.com or https://surfcookierecords.bandcamp.com
As reviewed in Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 3
—Matthew
Purchasae Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 3
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