"The Missing Chord" - 20 rip-roarin' surf & rock'n'roll instrumentals

Howard Raucous of Snatch Records has put together a mighty sampler of mostly British surf and rockabilly instros. There's a wide variety of sounds here, from fantastic surf to powerful rock to psychobilly and even horrid frat band wankage. Overall, a really good collection.

Well, it had to happen sooner or later - an album that showcases the brightest and best of the UK's surf bands. And what a scorcher it is. On his 'The Missing Chord' cd Howard Raucous brings us the cream of British reverb, together with quite a few other goodies. This isn't really a 'surf' album as such - there's a fair bit of rockabilly raunch mixed in too - but to my mind this makes for a damn tastey recipe.
I'm (nearly) lost for words about the numbers on this album. There's just so many highlights I'm not sure where to start. There's a couple of great cuts from Canadian garage surf meisters Huevos Rancheros and Los Meltones, but (he says with a patriotic flourish) it was the UK bands that really got me jumping. 'Charlie's Point' by Dead Man's Curve is one helluva number - with crashing guitars and vicious drumming bursting out all over. Just amazing. Make sure you play this one at '11' on yer volume control, the neighbours will love you forever. Following quick on their heels comes the Surf Creatures' now classic single 'Toxic Beach' - a fast and ferocious ditty from the Cornish (you had to be at the Brighton gig) surf demons. Boyzone... woops! I mean Los Nachos also do themselves proud. 'Blue Stratos' is one of my live favourites and this version is inspired. When I close my eyes I could swear I was sitting in my Aston Martin DB 5, sipping a dry martini and swopping sweet nothings with Ursula Andress. Guys, I'm just not going to rest until you've brought out a whole album. Or several. Ok, maybe I'm biased because the Surfin' Lungs are mates of mine, but I reckon their 'Vostock 1' has got to be one of the surf gems of the year. Man or Astronman? meets Boris Yeltsin. Well, sort of. But it's outstanding... just outstanding.
I'm beginning to run out of superlatives, but I can't go without mentioning a few more of the great tracks on this brilliant cd. Surftrek bring us an enigmatic spaghetti-spy-surf (don't pretend you don't know what I mean) number with 'Deathwave Theme', while the Interceptors kick in with their 'Electric Pineapple' - a 1000 volt rocker if ever I've heard one. Oh yeah, and I can't forget The Sandblasters' 'Body Bag' which is Link-esque in its rumbling intensity.
Overall this album rates a 9+ out of 10 on my seismic surf scale. It's a great introduction to the UK surf scene and I'm sure it'll be a treasured addition to any Cowabungan collection. It may be hard to track down in the States, but it's worth the effort - and I'd imagine that you'd be able to get it direct from Raucous Records in the UK. - Billy Ramone

trax:
1. Girl From N.A.N.A.I.M.O - Huevos Rancheros 2. Poseidon - Los Mel-Tones 3. Surfin' To The Max - The Revtunes 4. Hot Rod - Counterpoint 5. Ring Stinger - Slim Whitfield 6. Blue Stratos - Los Nachos 7. Herman's Hangover - Sgt Fury 8. Rat Motor - The Surf Rats 9. Salt Box Hill - Wild Bob Bugos & His Band 10. Vostok 1 - The Surfin' Lungs 11. Chickie Run - The Sabrejets 12. Big Day At Waimea - Surfzone 13. Charlie's Point - Deadman's Curve 14. Toxic Beach Surf - The Creatures 15. Watcha Say - Bustin' Bikini Beat 16. Deathwave Theme - Surftrek 17. Electric Pineapple - Interceptors 18. Body Bag - The Sandblasters 19. Shotgun Rides Again - Shotgun 20. The Missing Chord - Empress Of Fur