Sonic EXPLOSION!!!
Henry R. Kujawa | "The Forbidden Zone" (Camden, NJ) | 07/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was hoping for a change after Evan Foster's last 2 "power-pop" albums. Boy, did I get it. WOW.
INSTRUMENTALS may be Evan's BEST album. I loved EVERY song on it the first time I played it-- and I've lost track of how many times I've played it in the months since-- it's been on "heavy rotation" (as they say). I've loved THE BOSS MARTIANS for quite awhile, but it's always been the vocal songs I liked best-- whether they were the "nice & mellow" or the "loud & charged up" ones. But this-- THIS is something else! I'd heard hints of this on some recent BM singles, but this blows EVERYTHING else away.
The "official" Amazon review said it perfectly. This album contains a wide variety of styles, and at times it seems each track is almost paying tribute to a different band. "Slidin'" is surely The Shadows; "She Rides A Chopper" reminds me of Davie Allan & The Arrows; "Surfer's Anthem" must be Dick Dale (though that drumming at the end reminds me more of Los Straitjackets' Jimmy Lester). But this isn't just a "retro" thing-- "Hearse Full Of Souls" and "Drag The Dragon" have a VERY modern sound about them.
Other favorites include "Glass Packed & Fully Stacked" (very surfy), "Venice, Late Night" (mid-tempo & moody-- gorgeous!), "Cann Of Electrodes" (this sounds the most like recent BM instros), "Embrujada" (this would go good on a 3rd "SPAGHETTI" comp). But wouldn't you know it? My FAVORITE song on the album (on the basis that it stuck in my head and wouldn't go away) was "I Want Some Sex"-- the ONLY vocal here. It's essentially the same track as "Mouthbreather", but with a few words added-- VERY few! Go, Evan!
Now, why wasn't this put out under the name Boss Martians?
For anyone who likes this, I'd also reccomend albums by Dick Dale, Destination: Earth! and Dalek Beach Party. (The latter 2 are harder to find-- find their websites, you won't regret it.)
And finally, just to help anyone trying to keep track of Evan's albums...
THE BOSS MARTIANS ***
JETAWAY SOUNDS OF THE BOSS MARTIANS ***
13 EVIL TALES ****
INVASION OF THE LIVE BOSS MARTIANS ***
LOCKDOWN PARTY (LP only) ****
HERE'S TO ANOTHER YEAR (Mystery Action) *****
MOVE! ****
MAKING THE ROUNDS ***
THE SET-UP ***
INSTRUMENTALS (Evan Foster) *****"
Who??
Stanley Runk | Camp North Pines | 01/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Don't know who Evan Foster is? I'm not surprised. Folks in the modern surf scene know him from the Boss Martians, and most likely those will be the only ones who read this review. The sad fact is that this won't rocket up the charts alongside the Black Eyed Peas(though it should and then some) because as well all know, who the hell listens to instrumental music anymore? The mere word "instrumental" is enough to make folks cringe. Well, Evan has put out a cd full of 'em! And a damn good one if I may say so myself. You may notice right away that this cd doesn't have the traditional surf rock sound as we're used to hearing it. Foster obviously took this solo opportunity to delve into other sounds he enjoys. While the surf sound creeps in every now and again(and it's very modern sounding surf, not 60s), you'll hear bits of hard rock and even a metal tinge to a song or two. Being a fan of both the surf and hard rock genres, this is a very welcome thing to me. Lots of synths abound as well, giving this a very otherworldly and sometimes mellow feel. Foster gets Dusty Watson here on the drums. Watson is no doubt the best drummer within the surf genre(and alot of other genres for that matter), and his contribution to Foster's guitar playing is perfect. Traditionally, surf rock is a fairly basic form of rock music, but there are bands here and there that like to up the ante and try new stuff. Foster takes a classic genre, puts his spin on it and makes it his own. The result is very original, catchy as hell, and definitely displays how talented the man is. This isn't one of those instrumental albums that begins to bore you after the first four songs like a Liquid Tension Experiment wankfest. Each song is well crafted, catchy, does it's job and moves you on to the next good song. Not only highly recommended to the surf fan, but to anyone with an appreciation for instrumental rock. Cleanse yourself of impurities by listening."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1