Review @ reverbcentral.com
Annot Rhul - The Annot Rhul Surf Experience
3 out of 5 stars
Label: CD-R Demo
Annot Rhul sent this 6 song CD-R of songs recorded in September of 2002. It's an interesting mix of surf and western and space. The mixes place the drums hard left and the lead guitar hard right, a move that's not as comlimentary to the music as it deserves in my opinion. It does create a kind of period feel. The songs obviously are the result of a large amount of work and time.
Picks: It Takes Two To Tango, Shootout!, Annot Rhul, White Horse, Life's At Another Place
"Traktor" 3 stars
A rock chord progression and organ lead the way in this riff romp. Much more like frat rock than any brand of surf, and without a real melody, "Traktor" is nonetheless fun and exhilarating. In the last minute of the song, surf guitar arrives to save the day.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
"It Takes Two To Tango" 3 stars
A slowly moving, somewhat tweaky spy inspired, and sinewy cool, "It Takes Two To Tango" features exotic percussion and the shimmer of vibrato. Very enjoyable.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
"Shootout!" 5 stars
"Shootout!" is a marvelous song with shimmering surf chords and a melody that's both spaghetti western and tropical. Very pretty and moody, dripping with surf coolness, and quite engaging.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
"Annot Rhul" 3 stars
Aggressive surf rushes through the break like a shortboard cutting through the turmoil of white water after that last cutback. Spunky and fun.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
"White Horse" 4 stars
The shimmer of vibrato calls up images of western scenes. The melody is sad and spatial, and the rhythm semi military. Structurally, "White Horse" reminds me a little of the Hellbenders. Nice track.
Surf Instrumental Stereo
"Life's At Another Place" 4 stars
Moody and a little uneasy, "Life's At Another Place" is a sad and moody piece with a sense of loss about it. The eerie sound of the haunted keys adds a space rock edge and ghostly chill, while the relentless nature of the progression creates a space scene. If Hawkwind's softer instro swirls were mixed with the Southwest and surf, it might end up like this.
Surf Instrumental Stereo