Review: Los Frenéticos - Teletransportación

Los Frenéticos

Teletransportación

Hi-Tide Recordings

Argentina’s Los Frenéticos solidify their reputation as one of the coolest surf bands in the world with Teletransportación. The album has a pure instrumental quality, with moments that recall Laika and the Cosmonauts. They do indeed aim that high, and the result is very satisfying. This is a production on the level of The Barbwires classic “Sea Rider.” “Surf Music” is a pretty big umbrella these days, and I think that when most people think of surf, they are imagining a no frills, small combo. This album isn’t that, and I definitely look forward to seeing the band live this summer to hear how they arrange these pieces for the stage. What does make this album surf are the twangy, reverbed lead guitar tones and the rhythm guitar, both obviously Fenders, and the surf beat. The songs have a lot of variation in intention and mood, though they largely stay away from breakneck tempos, grooving solidly and mightily.

Teletransportación is a complete production, with additions to Los Freneticós’ five piece being tasteful and well placed. Having a keyboard already gives their sound a lush richness, and he most sticks to a Leslied B3 sound. Sprinkled around the album you’ll hear a horn section, theremin, sound effects like bubbles, and percussion. This album makes me very happy. Highly recommended!

Highlights: Everything!

USA Tour Dates:

Review- Gold Dust Lounge CD

Gold Dust Lounge is a Miami combo floating somewhere in between surf and exotica, very much in the style of Nomad era Aqua Velvets. They let the music do the talking, mostly in private conversation, and wallow in lush guitar tones, rather than bluster. I’m guessing they have a full time percussionist as each song has creative rhythms going on, which suits the understated drums. The addition of violin on a couple songs is unique and fresh to my ear. Some of the songs meander a little long for my short attention span, but overall the CD (their third) holds my attention, and is a refreshing change from the aural assault of most modern surf.

“Desperado,” thankfully not an Eagles cover, has a pristine, clean Fender tone. Not wet enough to be surf, and not quite spaghetti, but with a moving and memorable melody. On “No Doze,” the guitar gets a little crunchier and I get the “Mexican Radio” vibe, and it features a battery of percussion and sound effects. This track is a lot of fun. The noir of “Barfly” is the lone vocal, is needle deep in the Tom Waits vein. “Darkest Hour” has an elegant melody that calls The Pixies “Velouria” to mind. I love the violin counterpoint on this track. “Storm Surge” is a minimalist spy-tango. “Better Worsens” keeps the guitars clean and moody, the drums shuffle lightly as sweet background vocals sweep across the mix. The violin returns on “Indian Key” working in tandem and counterpoint with the guitar, and I dig the “Popcorn” keys buried behind the bridge. The last song is a second version of “Storm Surge”, losing the drums altogether, and bringing the bongos to the fore, with steel drum percussion as the waves roll in. Tres tropicale.
Gold Dust Lounge Website
Gold Dust Lounge on Bandcamp