Track Listings (14) - Disc #1| All Artists: Mermen Title: The Amazing California Health And Happiness Road Show Members Wishing: 5 Total Copies: 0 Label: Mesa Original Release Date: 6/20/2000 Re-Release Date: 5/26/2009 Genres: Pop, Rock Styles: Oldies & Retro, Rock Guitarists Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 644949110125 |
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Search - Mermen :: The Amazing California Health And Happiness Road Show
 | Mermen The Amazing California Health And Happiness Road Show Genres: Pop, Rock
It's been decades since Jimi Hendrix advised the world that they'd "never hear surf music again." But the Mermen (who take their name from a Hendrix song) not only prove the venerable guitar god wrong, but make a compellin... more » |
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Amazon.com It's been decades since Jimi Hendrix advised the world that they'd "never hear surf music again." But the Mermen (who take their name from a Hendrix song) not only prove the venerable guitar god wrong, but make a compelling musical argument here that if Hendrix were alive today he might well be sitting in with them on these moody, musically expansive tracks. Just as Jimi was reinventing himself at the time of his death, the Mermen tweak surf-instrumental clichés beyond recognition--that is, when they're not trashing them altogether. Guitarist Jim Thomas's influences range from (of course) Hendrix to Dick Dale, Django Reinhardt, Ravi Shankar, Neil Young, Clarence White, and his own hometown heroes, the Dead Kennedys. Listen closely and you'll hear them all (and more) in a progressive collection that offers a surprise at nearly every turn, whether it's the soaring steel guitar flourishes of "Unto the Resplendent," the sitar colorings of "White Trash Raga," or the spacey Floyd-isms of the 13-minute-plus noise-symphony, "Burn." Like his heroes, Thomas never lets flash block the path of illumination, delivering his rich palette of tones and influences with an ocean-bred sense of grace and destiny. --Jerry McCulley Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsElectrik Kalifornia Folk Muzak Mac Roberts | 06/20/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "An intoxicating mix of swirling, multi-layered guitars, rolling, jagged rhythms and "ocean-inspired" songwriting, The Mermen meld influences as diverse as Sonic Youth, Pink Floyd and John Coltrane into an album that is cinematic in its grandeur, and at it's strongest, an utter work of beauty. More than just a collection of songs, The Amazing California Health and Happiness Road Show unfolds like a dream, conjuring musically the infinite images one could envision from its lofty title. "Unto The Resplendent" swells and breaks like the mighty Pacific viewed in slow motion, while "Merry Go Round" takes the listener to the southeastern California desert, burning hazy and endless in the blistering sun. On "Walking The Peach" and "Burn," Jim Thomas, a modern day guitar-god, reinvents history by channeling Hendrix and having him sit in on the Endless Summer sessions. His masterful guitar and songwriting abilities find the perfect union on the stark and beautiful "To Be Naked & French Is Always Hard," transforming surf music into something that might be described as California electric folk, quintessentially Californian and wholly inspired by the indigenous coastal experience.While surf might be the muse, The Amazing California Health & Happiness Road Show, is so much more. For the highway, for the bedroom, for a toke, this record is sure put you in the right head." Large Sound for a small world C. C. Hill | Hayward, CA | 06/30/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "The day that Jim Thomas and cohorts the MERMEN released the incredible album "Food for Other Fish" that combined the best elements of instrumental surf, the sonic assault of punk and the depth of Stravinsky back in 1993 surf music as a genre was forever changed for the better. The Mermen releases that followed this groundbreaking cd occasionally rose to but never were able to capture the power and beauty of Food for other Fish. WIth the long awaited release of The Amazing California Health and ... The MERMEN have again raised the bar. From the opening riffs of "Unto the Resplendent" thru the almost pop snarl of "Sponge Cookie" Jim Thomas's masterly guitar work and songcomposing prowess will hold you the listener mesermised. Sonically the Mermen's sound has never been this accessible or diverse." Well worth the wait... Mike Mannion | San Diego | 06/23/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "Although it's been WAY too long since the Mermen put out an album (EP in 96, full length in 95), this record may be well worth the wait.This is one of the best "sounding" albums I've ever heard. Jim has been able to capture the incredible tones of their live show on a studio quality CD. This record sounds more like Food for Other Fish and Songs of the Cows than Glorious... less feedback riddled. Bottom line - if you're a Mermen fan, this will fast become your favorite Mermen record... if you're a fan of Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Rush, or just a "guitar fan" you'll quickly be won over. Buy this record!"
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