Eric Eidelbach

Scanning the track listings on Pollo Del Mar's (love that name) second surf-instro outing elicited a groan as I saw yet another version of the Shadows' overly covered "Apache," (here dubbed Apache '99). Then I noticed a song titled "Moon Over Marin." "The old Dead Kennedy's tune?" I wondered aloud, frightening the girl at the next booth. Well, as it turns out, it indeed is the DK tune, and done really well at that, I really wish surf acts would do this more often, covering tunes not beat to death like say "Penetration" or "Mr. Moto, how's about some Black Flag, ? and the Mysterians, or hell, even Les Baxter for that matter?

As for "Apache '99," I was stunned. Somehow Pollo has managed to breath new life into this well-worn favorite, playing it at a hypnotically slow pace, producing waves of traquilization guaranteed to soothe the hardest of hearts. As well, there's some excellent originals, particularly the leisurely paced "Annabelle Lee," and the silky smooth surf-meets-spy-meets Herb A. feel of "Consuela's Revenge." In a nutshell, all instrumental listeners, surf or not, need to pick it up pronto, you'll be glad you did.