EL RAY
Shoot From the Hip (Alternative Records)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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This is by far the best surf rock band I've heard in years and years and years, and this album is a necessary addition to the collection of any surf guitar enthusiasts, if you can find it. Amazingly enough (although considering some of the best U.S. surf rock bands have come from the Midwest, I suppose it's not that amazing) El Ray hails from Denmark, and their psychedelic, ominous spin on these original and classic surf songs is just beautiful (their "Secret Agent Man" instrumental cover is hilarious). Many of the tracks on here have titles that could have come right off the credits screen at your local surf theater--if there are any more of those wonderful little venues out there-especially "The Agent vs. the Mexican", "The Plan", and "The Spider." Guitarists El Twang and El Firetone play both rapid-fire dual beach party massacre music and slow, lush, twangy makeout music equally wonderful, making one wonder exactly what kind of beaches there are in Denmark, and what kind of parties they have there where this kind of band provides the soundtrack, and how one gets an invite.

[Find this CD at www.alternate.dk]

© 2003 - Holly Day