be prepared ,,, you'll have EVERYBODY asking   WHO ARE THESE GUYS !!! & they'll all think your cool for knowing about such a obscure but rock'in band.you'll need to buy both c.d.s together because YOU WILL BUY BOTH eventually so save the extra shipping & wait time. like me,you won't be able to wait to get thier next undoubtably great c.d. these guys are tight & write really catchy tunes...
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I put the CD in my player, and CDDB (the internet based CD classification system) locates the album and classifies it as "rockabilly". OK - lets see what happens. As CDDB indicated there are some rockabilly flavored tunes, but the Strange Tones defy a single classification. IT'S ALIVE I TELL YOU....ALIVE! Sure enough, the album jars me into a state of submission, falling subservient to it's power.

The first tune "Comin' after you" comes on and I'm presented with a blues tinged medium tempo shuffle with tasty rhythm guitar counter lines and Guitar Julies thick vocals threatening to strike down her old love. I like it!

A few songs fall easily in the blues. "Comin' after you" which is reminiscent of the old blues standard "help me". The straight on, slow shuffling "Pleased to meet you" and the ultimately fast swinging "Stink Bomb!" are a few examples. Others fall under what my friend called "monster surf". Seems an apt description. "Runaway Dog" could have been on the Repo Man soundtrack. Love it.

Over half the songs are well written self penned tunes. Production is simple, but contains a nice depth with occasional overdubs. Whit Draper and Guitar Julie push the envelope with some nice guitar work on tunes like "Comin' after you". In addition to solid bass work, Andy Strange turns in a nice performance on the Theremin in "Stink Bomb!". When was the last time you heard a Theremin on an album?

Extras include a few guest musicians: Jon Koonce, slide guitar master Henry Cooper, and Mike Walker. I could be wrong, but I assume it's Koonce who delivers the cool pickin solo in Whole Lotta Nothin'. Nice additions to add occasional spice on a few cuts.

I received the "limited deluxe edition" which included a deluxe matchbook cover, as well as a few real match books. Wow - I am ready to go start the grill!

Overall the album falls somewhere comfortably, yet uniquely between surf, rockabilly, and blues. Well done. The Blues Dog says, 4 out of 5 Woof's!
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Excellent material that never gets boring or commerical. Heard it first on the radio and just loved it. Now I can't take it off!!!! It's my new favorite!!
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