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I've recently gotten the sophomore album by the Atomic
Mosquitos, "Release The Mosquitos!", and wow, it's great! The
Atomic Mosquitos are from Frederick, Maryland (outside of
Washington, DC), and I've known their drummer Craig Stang for many
years now. He even filled in on drums for Doug of the Space
Cossacks on several occasions. I'm so happy to see that Craig is
not only still playing surf music, but that he's got one hell of a
band!
The Mosquitos play traditional surf music with some light modern
influences. Good points of reference would be the Penetrators and
the Volcanos. Like those two bands, the Mosquitos' focus is on the
melody and flowing arrangements rather than impressing with
technique or blowing away with energy, though they certainly don't
lack in either energy or technique. All the musicians are very good
both at playing and at capturing the proper surf style and sound
(though the bass doesn't sound very trad, but it's OK), and my man
Craig does a wonderful job pounding the skins (as well as playing
the drums! :). But special kudos must go to the lead guitarist Paul
Carson who plays with a lot of feeling and melodic imagination. In
addition, he sports an authentic surf guitar tone that is also very
full, warm and immensely pleasing. However, it's also clear that
song arrangements are a band effort, and this is definitely the
band's strength.
The most remarkable thing about the Mosquitos is their songs. I
must admit that it took several listens to fully appreciate their
depth and beauty, but now I'm totally addicted! My very favorite on
the CD is the stunning "Axis of Evil", a song which I would be VERY
proud to call one of my own! It's an urgent number, based on a
syncopated drum pattern, featuring a recurring high-string motif,
with a darkly exotic verse. The arrangement is relatively complex,
but everything fits together perfectly, including the super-cool
bridge which seems to come out of nowhere! This is one of three
songs on the CD that also vaguely remind me of the Aqua Velvets (in
my book a major compliment). I don't know of if this is intentional
(I'm guessing it's not), but the `glistening' sound of the lead
guitar as well as the melodic phrasing and the chord progressions
all evoke the Aqua Velvets in my mind. The other two `Aqua-Velvety'
songs are "Souixnami" (which also has a bit of a new-wave feel to
it, much like some of the Penetrators' best), and "Dead Sea Stroll"
with its `Mexican rooftop afternoon' feel and a beautiful, aching
melody. Elsewhere they channel the Bambi Molesters on the
moody "Sizzler", and the Ventures on the easy-flowing "Wild Wild
Midwest". The CD is quite varied, ranging from the hard-
hitting "Pope Of Chile Town" and "Planet From Outer Space" (with
some great Theremin playing by the monster artist Stephen
Blickenstaff, who also did the awesome cover artwork) to the ultra-
happy "Beach Blanket Inferno" (reminding me of the great happy-surf-
tunes of the Woodies and Mark Brodie & the Beaver Patrol and with
a nice nod in the intro to Richie Podolor's "Beat `65") to the
wonderfully exotic "Whole Larva Love" and album closer "Dreamsicle",
evoking images of the tropical islands. The only cover song on the
CD is the up-tempo, surfed-up version of Elvis' "Are You Lonesome
Tonight". It works OK, but it's a bit gimmicky and once the novelty
wears off, I don't think it stands up to the high quality of the
band's originals.
If I could make one suggestion to the Mosquitos it would be to work
on developing a more characteristic band sound which I don't think
they have right now. But if they never do, it's OK we'll still
have a bunch of fantastic songs! Anyway, I can't recommend this CD
highly enough. The best of 2005 so far, as far as I'm concerned.
(Is there any competition? What else has come out this year?)
Ivan
