July 3–10, 1997

music|discquiks

rock/ pop

The El Caminos

Reverb Explosion (Del-Fi)

When the El Caminos say Reverb Explosion, they mean it. This band is riding the tsunami of post-Pulp Fiction interest in surf music. The leading track, "Exotic," is such a "Misirlou" rip-off that ASCAP may be after their asses soon. Oops! I'm mistaken — The El Caminos won't have that problem because most of the songs on the album are covers. I guess they're so dedicated to the preservation of traditional surf rock that only four of 15 songs here are original. "Sumo Wrestler" is more Henry Mancini circa "Mr. Yunioshi," while "Rolling Sushi" is a prideless parody of Japanese culture replete with an "Ah-so!" chorus and gong. Perhaps they're trying to replicate the authenticity of the anti-Asian sentiment of the early '60s. Now that's retro! The Romper Room sound of "T.J. Slough" is the highlight of the original tracks written by this talented but spineless bunch.

— Geeta Dalal