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To Mr. Scandinavian reviewer(Senor Ivan)
Hello from the other Euro fanatic on the list. Just a few notes
on the Lunatics. (I will say more when you get to Norway and
Denmark)
>>Though they showed awesome chops and unbelievable energy
>>I managed to completely miss their second CD `Beware' from 2001,
>>and I'm desperately trying to track it down now (anybody have any
clues?).
You can get the album through the band or from Twangsville Records.
I may have a slightly different take on the Lunatics. (I definitely
agree, now, that they are one of the best Scandinavian bands around)
but back in the days of MP3.com most of the album "Beware" was
available for download. It got me hooked on the Lunatics but the
actual album is too short. 20 minutes total. (11 songs) I was a little
disappointed. When you take in account the speed of the songs
(some could be classified as instro on amphetamines) It leaves you
wanting for more.
They fixed that with "Tour du Monde" (16 songs, well over
30 minutes this time) Touring the World musically. Nice concept!
I will never get tired of the exotic themes. You have covered the
album quite well with your review. This album transports me to
Europe every time I listen to it.
>>Not completely surf but close enough.
>>I would highly recommend this to all, but especially those of you
>>that are a bit more adventurous in your tastes.
I concur, but would emphasize the "Adventurous" part. I don't find
the "Lunatics" all that surfy. Although I cannot imagine this being a
turn off.
Part 2 Nordic bands (I mean band) I waited too long to chime in on
Finland
and we are in Norway already.
sidenote. I am sure that any one who reads your reviews can feel the
passion
you have for this music and your skill in articulating this in writing.
I, for one,
greatly appreciate your reviews even though I have all the CD's.
I got the CD "Mission to Mir" from Paul @ Wildebeest Records when he
was selling Euro CD's through his site. (I also got "Ridin' the Wild
Surf" by
Husky from him) I am a fanatic about steel guitar so once I got wind of
"Beat
Tornados" using lap steel I was a fan. I was definitely not disappointed.
(I will not mention that a favorite song of mine, Mir Rescue, could have
inspired
me to get this album) The best song, Delfinen, (IMHO) sounds to me like
it came
from a very cool "Western Soundtrack"
The 3rd Beat Tornados album is as far from Surf as the 3rd Lunatics
album.
(I figure it must be something in the Scandinavian Beer that inspires
this progressive
evolution) I cannot add anything that you have not said all ready about
"Scandinavian
Interlude"
>> according to Scandinavians themselves, Denmark IS part of Scandinavia,
while
>>Finland is not! Who knew...
I have heard that many consider Denmark Scandinavian, but I had not
heard that Finland
was removed from the Scandinavian honor roll. Yikes!
After you post Part 3, I could add a few albums from further South.
like "The Netherlands"
Not as similar musically but just as impressive with the Surf genre.
Thanks again Ivan for "keeping the faith" (Euro style)
Trode
Santa Barbara
Deep in Scandinavia
Hello Trode!
Thanks greatly for piping up and adding your perspective, and
ESPECIALLY for the link to purchase Beware - I do appreciate that!
However, I must disagree on one issue with you:
You wrote:
> I concur, but would emphasize the "Adventurous" part. I don't
> find the "Lunatics" all that surfy. Although I cannot imagine this
> being a turn off.
[cut]
> The 3rd Beat Tornados album is as far from Surf as the 3rd
> Lunatics album.
Well, you know, each person on this (or any other) list has his own
definition exactly what is surf music. I'm sure none of us will
ever agree with another person's definition. The reason why I think
the Lunatics are 'surfy' is for several reasons: 1) their first
album was all sixties surf music covers and it's clear that is where
they are coming from; 2) even though the lead guitar is very dry (no
reverb), it's clear that the lead guitarist is coming from the surf
music school of guitar chops, cause he plays through a very clean
amp and LOVES to double-pick - most of the other techniques he uses
are standard surf guitar techniques rather than any modern non-surf
stuff (like heavy bending or whatnot); 3) the rest of the band's
gear and sounds of their instruments are very much grounded in the
sixties; 4) most of their melodies and chord structures, though not
completely traditional, are obviously inspired by sixties
instrumental music, whether Euro or US; 5) finally, though I'm sure
they were heavily influenced by Euro-instro, I've NEVER heard any
Euro-instro band play with that sort of energy and attack - it
clearly comes from surf music.
As far as 'Scandinavian Interlude' by the Beat Tornados, you keep
telling people it's not surf music - I couldn't disagree more. 1)
their tones are very traditional surf music, and they are using
Jags, reverb units, and big Fender amps; 2) Dick Dale and Ventures
in Space (arguably their surfiest album) are obviously big
influences for that album - "Kreml De La Kreml" is obviously Dick-
Dale-ish, "Return of the Griegster" is completely a surf
tune, "Xtabay" sounds like 'Ventures In Space', and I could go on.
Yes, there are several songs that aren't very surfish beyond the
sounds of the actual instruments, and I tried to acknowledge that in
my review, but does that mean that the album doesn't qualify as a
surf album? As far as I'm concerned, Slacktone is much further from
surf music that 'SI', yet few people argue that they are not a surf
band.
To me surf music is a big tent - it can cover many different bands.
What I look for is a particular sound consciousness as well as lack
of any intentional introduction of non-surf elements (in particular
post-'65 guitar techniques and tones). Just because someone is
pushing at the definition a bit doesn't really bother me, though.
Finally, insisting that a particular release is not surf music may
actually keep some surf music fans from checking it out, though it's
close enough and though they may it enjoy greatly. So, let's not be
so insistent on something not being surf music, shall we?
> After you post Part 3, I could add a few albums from further
> South. like "The Netherlands" Not as similar musically but just
> as impressive with the Surf genre.
ABsolutely. Anyone in the last several years? It seems like the
Dutch surf scene has died somewhat since the heights of the Treble
Spankers and the Apemen, etc.
Ivan
Most excellent discussion, Ivan. (I hope)
I will not make any excuses for my blatant disposal of the
"surf" moniker when discussing the B. Tornados and Lunatics.
I feel that I can evolve my musical tastes just as the bands have.
Most of us come from a 1st wavy beginning and still hold those
bands in a place of honor. (I am one of those as well)
I would think that the musicians on this list would appreciate
the "Evolution" that has transpired with both of these "Surfbands"
I would not want to second guess the bands but I think they are
compelled to push the envelope and have succeeded quite well.
(Which is why we are talking about them) My hat is off to the
Beat Tornados for recording songs like the "Dave Brubeck standard"
Not your standard cover to say the least. So maybe I need to take
a little step back and mention that the "Beat Tornados" and the
"Lunatics" are Surfbands through and through no matter what they
choose to record. In the words of the Beat Tornados themselves.
"" This only to say that surf music is not retro music, at least not
the way The Beat Tornados play it.""
Hey, I live in California so I am a little tilted right from the get
go.
All I am really sure of is that the bands have come a very long ways
from their debut albums brimming with surf covers to a more modern
approach. (writing/arranging their version of "Surf" in a completely
fresh and exciting new way)
>> Just because someone is pushing at the definition a bit doesn't really
>>bother me, though.
Doesn't bother me either, I love it! If a Surfband is playing it I
will listen!
>>Finally, insisting that a particular release is not surf music may
>>actually keep some surf music fans from checking it out, though it's
>>close enough and though they may it enjoy greatly. So, let's not be
>>so insistent on something not being surf music, shall we?
I will take my reprimand like a responsible adult and refrain from
any unruly stereotyping in the future. I apologize to those, who will now
boycott Scandinavian surf bands, because of what I wrote.
I will be anxiously awaiting "Part 3"
Trode
Euro fanatic
Santa Barbara
California
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Hey Trode!
I very much appreciate everything you wrote below - I think we're in
near-perfect agreement! Now, anyway. :)
God bless surf bands that are brave and imaginative enough to do
something a bit new and different while still keeping to the long
tradition and the deep roots of surf music! That's my view of
things, anyway.... One foot tied to the past while leaping into the
future with the other one.... (it could end up being painful for a
guy...)
Ivan
-- In , Ronald E Smith <lnemo@j...>
wrote:
>
> Most excellent discussion, Ivan. (I hope)
>
> I will not make any excuses for my blatant disposal of the
> "surf" moniker when discussing the B. Tornados and Lunatics.
> I feel that I can evolve my musical tastes just as the bands have.
> Most of us come from a 1st wavy beginning and still hold those
> bands in a place of honor. (I am one of those as well)
> I would think that the musicians on this list would appreciate
> the "Evolution" that has transpired with both of these "Surfbands"
> I would not want to second guess the bands but I think they are
> compelled to push the envelope and have succeeded quite well.
> (Which is why we are talking about them) My hat is off to the
> Beat Tornados for recording songs like the "Dave Brubeck standard"
> Not your standard cover to say the least. So maybe I need to take
> a little step back and mention that the "Beat Tornados" and the
> "Lunatics" are Surfbands through and through no matter what they
> choose to record. In the words of the Beat Tornados themselves.
> "" This only to say that surf music is not retro music, at least
not
> the way The Beat Tornados play it.""
>
> Hey, I live in California so I am a little tilted right from
the get
> go.
> All I am really sure of is that the bands have come a very long
ways
> from their debut albums brimming with surf covers to a more modern
> approach. (writing/arranging their version of "Surf" in a
completely
> fresh and exciting new way)
>
> >> Just because someone is pushing at the definition a bit doesn't
really
>
> >>bother me, though.
> Doesn't bother me either, I love it! If a Surfband is playing
it I
> will listen!
>
> >>Finally, insisting that a particular release is not surf music
may
> >>actually keep some surf music fans from checking it out, though
it's
> >>close enough and though they may it enjoy greatly. So, let's
not be
> >>so insistent on something not being surf music, shall we?
>
> I will take my reprimand like a responsible adult and refrain
from
> any unruly stereotyping in the future. I apologize to those, who
will now
> boycott Scandinavian surf bands, because of what I wrote.
>
> I will be anxiously awaiting "Part 3"
>
> Trode
> Euro fanatic
> Santa Barbara
> California
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
