Insect Surfers

This worthy Washington, D.C.-based band nicely melds 1950s and 1960s pop influences to a new wave aesthetic. "Snow Falls" is a peppy song with touches of 1950s rock and roll that features an agreeably bargain-basement Phil Spector-style chorus. "Dorsal Fin" is essentially a late 1950s/early 1960s instrumental number done punky, complete with Duane Eddy twangy guitar stylings. More contemporary influences appear in "Up Periscope" (which surrounds a spoken/shouted hardcore vocal with a highly imaginative synthesizer-based arrangement), "I'm in Gear" (a jumpy song with a hooky chorus that has subtle nods to the Cars), and "Fascination with the Neon" (which alternates Joy Division-sounding drums/bass/synthesizer and hard rock sections). And there's an agreeably enthusiastic cover of the Wire song "Ex Lion Tamer." Sound quality is good and production is top-notch. This unknown little gem of an album is well worth getting. Note for serious LP collectors: the record cover comes in red, yellow, and orange colored versions. ~ David Cleary, All Music Guide