| "Surf Island" Reviewed at ReverbCentral.com! |
"Dry Heat" Named One Of The Top 12 Instrumental Surf Albums Of All Time By Dan Epstein, Editor Of
Revolver Magazine (The World's Loudest Rock Magazine)
Don't know who these guys are or where they come from; but from the desert-baked sound of 2005's Dry Heat, one suspects they
might have tried to surf a sand dune or two in their day. That in itself might not be the brightest move, but you can't fault their
tasty playing, nor the sense of whimsy and creativity they bring to arrangements of "Hawaii 5-0," "Ms. Moto" (yes, you read that
right) and even "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music as well as whammy-licious originals like "Escape From El
Diablo" and "101 on the 101."
Revolver Magazine (The World's Loudest Rock Magazine)
Don't know who these guys are or where they come from; but from the desert-baked sound of 2005's Dry Heat, one suspects they
might have tried to surf a sand dune or two in their day. That in itself might not be the brightest move, but you can't fault their
tasty playing, nor the sense of whimsy and creativity they bring to arrangements of "Hawaii 5-0," "Ms. Moto" (yes, you read that
right) and even "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music as well as whammy-licious originals like "Escape From El
Diablo" and "101 on the 101."
"Dry Heat" Reviewed by the West Valley View in NW Phoenix
Entertainment writers Michael Clawson and Daniel Burnette gave "Dry Heat" an
excellent review! Read our interview with Daniel Burnette here.
"These days you could be in Japan, Great Britain, or right here in the Valley of the Sun and feel the excitement of hanging 10
through the sonic rush that is Surf Music. The Swamp Coolers are more than keepers of the flame, the group's fanning it, with
a great new collection of 12 tracks. With its pounding drive, rapid-fire electric guitar licks, and heavy use of reverb and
tremolo, the group puts its own stamp on classics like "Hawaii Five-0" and "Pipeline." The laid-back prelude to "Hawaii Five-0"
is like a shoreline at low ebb until the waves crash in and the song takes off with the upbeat tempo we know from the TV series.
No horns here, but you won't miss 'em!
Originality gets any act extra points, though, and The Swamp Coolers earn an "A" here for original compositions such as
"Escape From El Diablo", "101 On The 101", and "Sonora Sunrise." Step up to the whammy bar, dude! The surf guitar is up"!
Entertainment writers Michael Clawson and Daniel Burnette gave "Dry Heat" an
excellent review! Read our interview with Daniel Burnette here.
"These days you could be in Japan, Great Britain, or right here in the Valley of the Sun and feel the excitement of hanging 10
through the sonic rush that is Surf Music. The Swamp Coolers are more than keepers of the flame, the group's fanning it, with
a great new collection of 12 tracks. With its pounding drive, rapid-fire electric guitar licks, and heavy use of reverb and
tremolo, the group puts its own stamp on classics like "Hawaii Five-0" and "Pipeline." The laid-back prelude to "Hawaii Five-0"
is like a shoreline at low ebb until the waves crash in and the song takes off with the upbeat tempo we know from the TV series.
No horns here, but you won't miss 'em!
Originality gets any act extra points, though, and The Swamp Coolers earn an "A" here for original compositions such as
"Escape From El Diablo", "101 On The 101", and "Sonora Sunrise." Step up to the whammy bar, dude! The surf guitar is up"!
"Dry Heat" Reviewed at ReverbCentral.com!
Phil Dirt, "King of Surf Radio" at California station KFJC 89.7, reviewed The Swamp Coolers' first CD
"Dry Heat". The CD received an overall rating of four stars, with "My Favourite Things" scoring all five
stars, the highest rating!
Escape From El Diablo
This is a richly textured track with a catchy riff and whammy chords. The sound is unique to The Swamp Coolers. While the
progressions are simple, they take unexpected turns that make this a very memorable song. Very nice!
Hawaii Five-0
Sleepy island whammy and lush palms swaying bring forth a slithery version of "Hawaii Five-0." The wholly original
arrangement of the first verse gives way to a pumped and wonderful arrangement inspired by the Ventures' original. Quite
nice, and very refreshing.
Journey To The Stars
Liquidy and reverent, this glissando laden rendering of "Journey To The Stars" is solid and fun. The arrangement is a
combination of others, with a touch of Thom Starr and a chorus.
The Lonely Bull
Sol Lake's beautiful "The Lonely Bull" is very nicely laid down. Lush and shimmering with surf anticipation, this moderately
paced take is a pleasure to enjoy on the open road.
Pipeline
In some ways, this reminds me of Dean Torrance's 1977 version, at least aurally. The drums play the glissandos a la the
Challengers, and the guitars are fairly dry. The duel lead on the bridge is jazzy. The big break is pure rock. All in all, a
different take on the Chantays' signature song.
101 On The 101
"101 On The 101" is a rock instro with the shimmer of surf chords. The melody is motion driven, and the feeling of the wind in
your hair with the top down is quite pronounced.
Out Of Limits
Swirly chants in the distance fade as the classic riff ensues. Slithery, smooth, and unlike other covers of this Mar-Kets' classic.
Quite a nice track.
Ms. Moto
This oriental-ization of the Belairs' signature "Mr. Moto" is sultry and very cool. Moderately paced and whammied out, this
reverb arrangement takes on a new sound and feeling that's
Europa
"Europa" moves slowly through a European guitar melody styling that's tremolo driven and moody. Very nice.
Route 66
Bobby Troup's poppy TV theme made popular by Nelson Riddle and covered by hundreds including the Rolling Stones gets
yet another lease on life. This time out it's saucy and liquid, yet tuff open highway motivated.
My Favorite Things
The Swamp Coolers take on "My Favorite Things" as if it was meant for the surf. What a wonderful idea. Playful, smooth,
slithery, and too much fun!
Sonora Sunrise
"Sonora Sunrise" softly oozes the orange warmth of an equatorial morning. The stereo slither of the whammy chords shimmer
in the dawn's light. Quite nice.
Phil Dirt, "King of Surf Radio" at California station KFJC 89.7, reviewed The Swamp Coolers' first CD
"Dry Heat". The CD received an overall rating of four stars, with "My Favourite Things" scoring all five
stars, the highest rating!
Escape From El Diablo
This is a richly textured track with a catchy riff and whammy chords. The sound is unique to The Swamp Coolers. While the
progressions are simple, they take unexpected turns that make this a very memorable song. Very nice!
Hawaii Five-0
Sleepy island whammy and lush palms swaying bring forth a slithery version of "Hawaii Five-0." The wholly original
arrangement of the first verse gives way to a pumped and wonderful arrangement inspired by the Ventures' original. Quite
nice, and very refreshing.
Journey To The Stars
Liquidy and reverent, this glissando laden rendering of "Journey To The Stars" is solid and fun. The arrangement is a
combination of others, with a touch of Thom Starr and a chorus.
The Lonely Bull
Sol Lake's beautiful "The Lonely Bull" is very nicely laid down. Lush and shimmering with surf anticipation, this moderately
paced take is a pleasure to enjoy on the open road.
Pipeline
In some ways, this reminds me of Dean Torrance's 1977 version, at least aurally. The drums play the glissandos a la the
Challengers, and the guitars are fairly dry. The duel lead on the bridge is jazzy. The big break is pure rock. All in all, a
different take on the Chantays' signature song.
101 On The 101
"101 On The 101" is a rock instro with the shimmer of surf chords. The melody is motion driven, and the feeling of the wind in
your hair with the top down is quite pronounced.
Out Of Limits
Swirly chants in the distance fade as the classic riff ensues. Slithery, smooth, and unlike other covers of this Mar-Kets' classic.
Quite a nice track.
Ms. Moto
This oriental-ization of the Belairs' signature "Mr. Moto" is sultry and very cool. Moderately paced and whammied out, this
reverb arrangement takes on a new sound and feeling that's
Europa
"Europa" moves slowly through a European guitar melody styling that's tremolo driven and moody. Very nice.
Route 66
Bobby Troup's poppy TV theme made popular by Nelson Riddle and covered by hundreds including the Rolling Stones gets
yet another lease on life. This time out it's saucy and liquid, yet tuff open highway motivated.
My Favorite Things
The Swamp Coolers take on "My Favorite Things" as if it was meant for the surf. What a wonderful idea. Playful, smooth,
slithery, and too much fun!
Sonora Sunrise
"Sonora Sunrise" softly oozes the orange warmth of an equatorial morning. The stereo slither of the whammy chords shimmer
in the dawn's light. Quite nice.
