Strings Aflame, The – Totali Catastrofica [Transparent GREEN Vinyl; Instrumental Surf Rock; Mexico] – New LP

When teenagers in the garage back in the early 1960s didn't know what to do next with their surf-rock sounds (not knowing that the Beatles would soon steal most of the attention), they went all crazy to keep it going (and for good reason), hitting nearly every action-packed sporting event for subject matter, both skiing and waterskiing for example, but most took one of two routes (often both), blasting off to outer space or revving up the powerplants, start your engines, hitting the blacktop with their hot rods, dune buggies, drag racers, and motorcycles!   This 21st century Mexican outfit does the same, and does it up right, following up their surf-rock debut LP with this set of instrumentals, focusing on capturing the energy and drive of fast cars and throttling up the motorbikes (but of course, just like those folks in the 1960s, this really isn't a departure from surf rock), another stellar set with more instrumental chargers, this time hitting the road but this must be Baja because you can still hear the ocean in these numbers.  Another essential listen for fans of fast and fun surf-rock instrumentals.  -- winch

   

The second TSA Lp comes with all the energy of the 24 hours of Le Mans, engines, speed and perseverance with an eye fixed on the goal. Start your engines and prepare for the race.


In this record, The Strings Aflame are:
• Omar Trejo: Lead guitar, palm muted guitar, lap steel, synths and keyboards.
• Teté Orta: Bass
• Emilio Nava: Rhythm guitar
• Diego Loyola: drums for tracks 01‐05, 09 & 10
• Gabriel López: guitar for tracks 06‐08
• Gustavo L. Romero: drums for tracks 06‐08

All tracks composed by Omar Trejo & Teté Orta. Arrangements by Emilio Nava and Diego Loyola. Track 04 & 06 composed by Richard Podolor arranged by The Hondells, track 10 composed by Dale Menten arranged by The Gestures, track 07 composed by The Stingrays, track 08 composed by Ernesto Lecuona arranged by The Trashmen.