John Blair reviews Pollo Del Mar's "Speed of Dark"

 

A review of Pollo Del Mar's new album, "Speed of Dark" by esteemed guitarist, music historian, author and documentarian John Blair.

Well, it ain't surf music. At least not in the trad sense. There are excursions into Zappa-esque textures and psychedelic styles that only a handful of contemporary "prog surf" guitar instrumental bands have approached. But, among them, I DO consider Pollo Del Mar among the best that's out there.

One thing that struck me while listening to the band's latest 12-inch gift of music, is that the sequencing here is really good. IMO, when you produce this kind of sophisticated guitar work, good sequencing is important. It's sort of a lost art that shows here.

And, the only non-original track is Pollo's cover of The Pyronauts' "Sifaka." The original has, I think, become a modern classic and this cover is a very good salute.

There aren't many guitarist/writer/arrangers out there who seem to be as familiar with so many sonic corners and dark musical alleys as Ferenc Dobronyi, who has a lot of guitar tricks in his saddle bag. I don't think there's really a bum track in the bunch. It all flows nicely and sounds great when played loud at the speed of dark.

https://pollodelmarsurf.bandcamp.com/album/speed-of-dark