Search - Slacktone :: Slacktone

No slack here

Reader Rabbit | Northern Calif., USA | 10/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This splendidly tight, high-energy instrumental trio is the surf band that other surf bands listen to for inspiration. They're anchored by guitarist Dave Wronski -- the Segovia of Surf -- who coaxes a couple of overlapping voices out of one guitar.



This is the first of Slacktone's two studio CDs; they also have two live ones. If you don't see audio samples here, check out their 2nd CD ("Into the Blue Sparkle") on this site to hear what to expect.



Slacktone's reference point is mid-1960s, pre-psychedelic surf music. But there's something timeless about where they take those roots. Old Moorish modes creep in through Spanish/Mexican motifs, and the South Seas echo in some of their tribal-sounding pentatonic stuff. Wronski often plays in octaves, recalling jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery. He also uses a flanger to get a 12-string sound that might remind you of the Byrds. I can't stop listening to any of their stuff -- beware, it becomes addictive the second time you spin it!"