Susan & the Surftones' sixth album,
The Originals, serves up more original surf rock. Like
Dick Dale, the Surftones flawlessly evoke the Southern California beach and cruising culture of the early '60s. Instrumentals like the sax-centered "Barbados Twist" and the surly, mid-tempo "Tabu" sound right out of the era and would make perfect inclusions on the soundtrack of any surf-craze flick. "Spaghetti Beach" has a beautiful, seedy Los Angeles vibe and "Space Spider" is sci-fi spy music worthy of early
Man or Astro-Man?. But, unlike
Man or Astro-Man?, the Surftones always feel out of another time; it's nostalgic without being sappy for sure, but lacks the contemporary touches and unique appeal of a band like
the Sadies. ~ Charles Spano