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I recently picked up the new Hypnotic IV CD "Go Baby Go"...its a real
winner. These guys are very tight, play great, and the CD sounds excellent
production-wise. The music is mostly upbeat and energetic with some real
surfy gems. The lead guitar is fast, fluid, and nuanced, with inventive bass
and solid drum work (including some bongos). I really enjoyed listening to
the rhythm guitar parts as well, especially when he plays at the hyper-level
on par with The Apemen ("SR vs The Man"). The role of the rhythm guitar is
clearly understood by this band. I am really struck by how well they come
across as a band, as a cohesive unit, and not just the usual "hot lead
guitar player with anonymous and undistinguished backing band" stero-typical
surf band.
The songs have some variety. As I said, some very cool surfy numbers
("Special X200", "Left Behind on 299"), a great cover of The Shadow's "Peace
Pipe" as well as "Ginza Lights" by The Ventures. They play "Ginza" a little
more reverently compared to Satan's Pilgrims mean and raw version. There is
an occasional organ and fuzz guitar thrown in which reminds me of The
Bomboras or The Treble Makers. But some real stand out tracks are the
Spaghetti Western flavored "Carmela" (with an oddly warbling trumpet) and
"Que Hombre", and the middle eastern flavored "Afternoon In Tunisia". Great
stuff!
There are a couple of kind of ho-hum songs. But these are more than made up
for, and again, there are some very memorable and original songs on here.
This CD, along with the Morricione Tribute, have been highlights for me in
the last few months. If I were the star giving type, I'd go with a solid 4
out of 5.
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