The Fathoms "Overboard" 1998

1998 & second album by Boston quintet, proof positive why they're considered the finest traditional surf band in the land. Famous for reverb-drenched guitar and raunchy sax, they also dabble with ska ('Fathomized'), grind ('Hippo Hump'), rockabilly ('Tracking Bigfoot') and traditional surf ('The Hears'). 14 tracks total, including the bonus track 'Turquoise Blue (And Primer Gray)' not on the vinyl LP.This a rocking, beautifully executed refinement of the 60's surf-beat instrumental sound. Overtones of country, ska-beat, gypsy music and jazz-like chordal illumination creep in and bring welcome diversity to the classic wet, wet, wet reverbia and throbbing tremelo shimmer while never losing the heart and soul of the Surf City sound. You'd be hard-pressed to find better surf guitar playing anywhere ....execution, inspiration, sophistication and tone to the bone. The rest of the band is propulsive and tight, the sax counterpoint is "that sound" you've forgotten but recognize when you hear it and the songs have a deliciously dark undertow conjuring up crashing waves on lonely seas. The production is deep, rich and three dimensional. This album exceeds expectations and does not slavishly attempt to recreate the '60's sound but goes beyond it ...and succeeds in terms of originality and creativity ...and just plain good rocking. - amazontrax:

1. Race Against Time 2. Fathomized 3. Overboard 4. Tracking Bigfoot 5. El Toro 6. Hippo Hump 7. The Hearse 8. Shark Waves 9. The Haunted Shore 10. Flaming Arrow 11. Cruisin' The Zone 12. Cahoon Hollow Hideaway 13. Turquoise Blue (And Primer Gray) 14. Git My Goat