Album Notes

Dans les profondeurs de l'hiver, il y a la SENSATION de PLANER! (Out of the deep of winter, there is the sound of a SURF SENSATION!)

Montreal is a tough town for surfers. The biggest waves come from the wakes of passing freighters on the St. Lawrence, and icebergs are more of a threat than shark attack. Realizing the futility of pursing the big wave sport at the local break, the boys of The Mel-tones sought solace in the crashing reverb and pounding drums of instrumental surf music.

The Mel-tones brought warmth to the darkest winter nights with sounds reeking of sea salt, sun-tan lotion and surfboard wax. Their music explodes in a sun-drenched reverie: "Rocket Sled to Oahu" takes you to the breakers with almost reckless haste, a "Reef Patrol" out where the heavies roll in, the subtle balance and excitement at the "Break Point", and "Papakolea Beach", the secret surfing spot.

Like the many moods of a brooding ocean, The Mel-tones music can rise like the wild surf at the cusp of day in "Surf Before Sunrise", lap gently on the shore, with the promising laugh of a wistful wahine in "Polynesian
Adventure", hint at the mournful mysteries of the deep in "Sands Go Vermilion" or balance gallantry and greed for "The Last Papaya."

And yet, the sounds of The Mel-tones range far from the sea itself as well. There's the drama of a high-plains showdown in "You'll Never Surf in this Town Again". The international intrigue and innuendo of "Surfin' Natasha". The potential for a titanic temblor in "Fault Line". And of course, the martial-arts mania of "Kung Fu Saturdays".

Yes, The Mel-tones show that the surf is in the heart and the soul, and these thirty-three tracks are ample proof. If you've ever found yourself hankering to hula, longing for a luau, or dreaming of the perfect wave, sit back and enjoy as The Mel-tones bring you the SURF SENSATION.

Jean-Michel Dérangez
Radio CJYZ, Coeur de Vache, QC
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REVIEWS:

New Gandy Dancer, August 2003, Issue 69, pg 41 ("The World's Longest Running Rock Instrumental Magazine" (based in the UK))

The Mel-tones "Surf Sensation" (LoveCat Music)

A VERY healthy 33 tracker (nice sleeve too), from the excellent Mel-tones from Montreal who we've enjoyed in the past and led by Mel Waldorf on geetar.

Their material has a real surf and Hawaii tone to it with "Perfect Wave" and "Tiki Cabana" being good examples of the latter. The group can also be raucous and there's plenty to choose from in that idiom. We liked "Incognito" (spy/surf) and the thumping "Surfin' Natasha" and the twin guitars on "Go Big Or Go Home". A pile of originals take a while to get used to, but these are very well done and will give listeners a chance to hear some fine riffs and edgy drumming and bass - and 33 tracks, in the car CD player, will shorten the longest journey we suspect.