The Glasgow Tiki Shakers play modern instrumental surf music with a twist. Based by the sea in the Los Angeles area the Glasgows play with a vintage sound in a modern setting. Tight - intense - soft and soulful, it's all here.
Read what Phil Dirt of Reverb Central says:
This is the first "real" release from the one of the best kept secrets of surf, the Glasgow Tiki Shakers. 13 wonderful tracks to make your day. Uplifting and well crafted surf abounds here.
Picks: Speedway Chase, 350 Bumper Car, Velvet Surf, Bamboo Boogie, Madras, Splat, Buumu, Tram Jumper, Agave Days, Spicy Danger, Cotton Candy, Exbrook
Speedway Chase
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Speedway Chase" is a splendid song with with a sense of adventure and coastal weather. There's a tiny reference to "Penetration" that gives it just a touch of traditional flavor beyond the reverb. This interesting track features an unusual melody that's both surf and not. Surf in style and arrangement, and not in its character, which is like an advanced blues riff.
350 Bumper Car
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
On the faster side, "350 Bumper Car" romps with liquid joy and rich textures. The backtrack supports the melody quite well. Overall, it's a splashy good time with a playful and colorful sound.
Velvet Surf
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Lush swimming chords, softly tribal drums, moody bass... it's a deadly combination. "Velvet Surf" is a beautiful track with a haunting air and slightly sad emotional edge. This is quite compelling in a Mermen kinda way! Quite grand!
Bamboo Boogie
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Exotic percussion and a very playful melody ride above a circulating rhythm and bass. The lead-rhythm interplay is superb! Together, "Bamboo Boogie" almost laughs. The grin and tweaky joy are irresistible. I love this!
Madras
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Throbbing tremolo, sparkling reverb, cool bass, and superb drums deliver a sultry island adventure. Lurid and saucy, with a gentle afternoon charm. Lovely and very engaging.
Splat
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
Rich and wonderful muted reverb guitar rhythm, big splash, dramatic drums, rumbling bass, and a nifty guitar melody. "Splat" is aptly named, with a sense of heavy surf and rocks and the meeting of your butt and the cliffs. Very cool!
Buumu
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
"Buumu" is slightly moody, with a sense of subtle danger and expectation. The big island chords and shimmer are really nice. It's quite apparent that a lot of time went into the arrangement and production.
Tram Jumper
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
On the fast side, "Tram Jumper" has a sense of motion and adventure, and a traditional surf beat. The ringing tone and thumping beat make for great listening. The muted high note runs are particularly pleasurable.
Agave Days
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
Warbly vibrato, island chords, twangin' shimmer, and a gentle pace gives "Agave Days" a moody after the storm feeling. The optimism peaking out from behind the breaking clouds is quite stark. The dribbled "Italian" lines bring additional emotion to the song.
Spicy Danger
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
On the darker side, "Spicy Danger" has a sped up spy feel to it, with a circular riff and high surf energy. Quite adventurous and rich in reverb charm, and the bass-centric riff between verses if very cool!
Cotton Candy
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
This is a light song, almost as light as the fluff of "Cotton Candy" that gives it its name. The muted guitar lines are wonderful, and the island chords inviting. This is simply a lovely track with a light heart.
Exbrook
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Exbrook" is a happy go lucky piece of surf laughter with with not a care in the world. Splashy and playful, with an uplifting beat and melody. Way cool!
Toes
Surf Instrumental (stereo)
"Toes" has a decidedly traditional sound with the Beach Boys in mind. Light and playful, poppy and fun.
Instrumental Observer/ http://metalhaven.livejournal.com/ says:
The infectious joy this trio generates is also of a superior order, as the three and a half minutes of Velvet Surf exemplifies. A variety of approaches also play a part in the success of this group’s music.
A kind of arbitrary but pertinent test that can be applied to music like this is whether or not it transcends the listener’s own prejudices with regards to individual instruments or instrumental lineups. In this instance the music comes through with flags waving in both cases, and I'm left rueing the fact that it’s taken me so long to catch up with a band as good as the Glasgow Tiki Shakers.
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