Pollo Del Mar - The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea


VINTAGE GUITAR
April 2000
John Heidt

If you're excessively monlingual, you might not know that Pollo Del Mar translates to "chicken of the sea." I like it just for that. But I like it for other reasons, too.

The band bases it sound in surf music, but they do so much more. There is no "formula" at all. They're a very unique-sounding unit that mixes all genres of music into a melting pot of sound. For instance, the menacing bass and elastic guitar of "Annabelle Lee" is far more imaginative than most surf bands today. They are also not afraid to funk up the mix ("Cutlass Supreme"). If you stick around long enough, you'll hear some jazzy surf (does that really exist?) on "Consuela's Revenge." For plain old nasty rock, check out "Rt. 666." and their "Apache '99" takes the original's melody and turns the classic into a quiet, quirky mood piece. Throughout the album, the guitars of Jono Jones and Ferenc Dobronyi propel things along with imagination and verve. If you're a fan of good instrumental music, check this one out. Recommended.
L.A. Ritmo Magazine
Pollo Del Mar - The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea
Sept. 20, 2000

A release from the group Pollo Del Mar is anticipated with anxious excitement. They are one of the premier third wave groups of surf and have made an indeli-ble mark upon the genre in the short time that they have been together. Their first album, “The Ocean is Not For Cowards” was an impressive debut. This second release has more consistent driving energy than the first CD.

“The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea” separates Pollo Del Mar from the pack in several convincing ways. The group has developed their own unique sound– each tune is different and consistently over flows with powerful waves of energy, and, last but not least, the sound of Pollo Del Mar remains very distinctive, led by the Latin/Spanish flavored guitar style of group leader Ferenc Dobronyi. The rest of the group has plenty to say on a high musical level and they all lend a hand in the overall recording production. All the right elements are in place for a strong and tight group.

Every track is a reverb-tinged rocking gem. The only exception being the last track, “Apache ‘99” which is a slowed down version of the song– like The Ventures on downers. It's not your typical cover, but then why be predictable? It's a clever version of a normally bright number. “The Saracen Gift” is a brilliant adaptation of "Little Drummer Boy" put to a haunting and dark soundtrack.

There is an ever present changing and shifting of rhythms and beats throughout this recording, such as the spicy salsa flavored cover of Herb Alpert’s “South of the Border” –it’s a real treat for any instro fan. Tasteful and always top-notch instrumentation by one of the best surf-instro groups on the planet. Pollo Del Mar is a very innovative and talented group that deserves all the accolades and attention that any great group receives. This album is a testament to their universal appeal and their strong foothold in the surf-instro world.

JUXTAPOZ
April 2000
-TSH
As soon as the twangy guitar strains kick in on it's first track, "Annabelle Lee," The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea transports you to a white-sand beach where tropical drinks are unlimited and hula girls undulate around you continuoulsy. We have San Francisco's own Pollo Del Mar, a long time leader in its instrumental genre, to thank for that. Rippin' guitarists Jono Jones and Ferenc Dobronyi, bassist Jefferson Turner and drummer Chris Thomas have been making waves in the Bay Area since1993. The band's surf-music roots and intrepid exploration into jazz, funk and good old rock 'n' roll fuse effortlessly again on The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea with a customary mixture of original work and covers. Of special note are groovy renditions of The Dead Kennedys' "Moon Over Marin" and Herb Alpert's "South of the Border." Cover art: 9

Pipeline Magazine
Dave Burke

Another edition of Pipeline, another great band. What can I tell ya? A San Franciscan four-piece operating mainly in the surfzone, who display a deft control and poise right from the opening "Annabelle Lee" and continue with enough touches of imagination and flair to prove that, even now, creative musicians can still bring fresh life to the three guitars and drums format.

Resisting the youthful temptation to tear through everything, the band instead opt for thoughtful arrangements and a strong sense of dynamics to state their case. Listen for example to "Johnny Foo" with its burning twin guitar climax, or "Devil's Slide" with its intricate percussion work, wailing siren lead and driving rhythm, or the bullying bass line of "Cutlass Supreme" for ideas in action.

Not that everything is successful. "The Saracen Gift" (better known to you and I as "The Little Drummer Boy") is atmospheric but does mostly tend to drag its heels despite a sudden outburst ending, likewise "Apache' 99" is taken too slow for its own good. Those pale though when compared to all of the good things here. For instance trumpet player Jab adds a refreshingly different counterpoint to both "Consuela's Revenge" and oldie "South Of The Border", and the little "Baby Please Don't Go" pinches in the fiery "Rt. 666" are a delight! Best of the lot though is "Annabelle Lee" with its powerful surf backbone but tender lead line dressed up in softly stroked minor chords, gradually building to an explosive finale between guitar and drums.

Great stuff!

Cool and Strange Music
March 2000
Eric Eidelbach

Scanning the track listings on Pollo Del Mar's (love that name) second surf-instro outing elicited a groan as I saw yet another version of the Shadows' overly covered "Apache," (here dubbed Apache '99). Then I noticed a song titled "Moon Over Marin." "The old Dead Kennedy's tune?" I wondered aloud, frightening the girl at the next booth. Well, as it turns out, it indeed is the DK tune, and done really well at that, I really wish surf acts would do this more often, covering tunes not beat to death like say "Penetration" or "Mr. Moto, how's about some Black Flag, ? and the Mysterians, or hell, even Les Baxter for that matter?

As for "Apache '99," I was stunned. Somehow Pollo has managed to breath new life into this well-worn favorite, playing it at a hypnotically slow pace, producing waves of traquilization guaranteed to soothe the hardest of hearts. As well, there's some excellent originals, particularly the leisurely paced "Annabelle Lee," and the silky smooth surf-meets-spy-meets Herb A. feel of "Consuela's Revenge." In a nutshell, all instrumental listeners, surf or not, need to pick it up pronto, you'll be glad you did.

The Continental
Issue #8
Sean Berry
****1/2

On this, their second full length CD, you get great tunes that fall somewhere between surf, lounge and spaghetti western. Their sound is smooth, yet highly innovative - filled with wonderful melodies that are pretty at times, powerful at others. They spent a long time putting this together and it shows, the production and musicianship here are outstanding. It's all capped off with a laid back, slowed down version of "Apache" (here titled "Apache '99") which is probably my favorite version of the tune ever. It's all wrapped up in a Shag designed package.

Tiki News
Otto Von Stroheim

The Pollos are leaning toward picking up where The Mermen left off. And why not now that The Mermen have tossed surf music to the wind and apparently are pusuing a more avante garde bend? Pollo sounds as solid as ever with a variety of styles including Herb alpert's "South of the Border" (with Horns!), Dead Kennedy's "Moon Over Marin", a killer "Litle Drummer Boy", and a slow as lavaflow version of "Apache" called "Apache '99". cool tiki art by Shag rounds out this must have neo-surf CD.

Garage and Beat
P. Edwin Lechter

10 instrumental splashes from one of San Francisco's more adventuresome combos. Their name translates to Chicken of the Sea, but you knew that. Like most of the groups on the fine (MuSick) label, Pollo Del Mar has foresaken straight ahead surf music for a more varied and unpredictable sound. On two of the tracks, the basic four piece is joined by Jab, of HERB fame (which is one of the hippest Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass impersonators on the scene, Pops!!) who adds some mighty cool horn action. Spacey, aquatic atmospheres are utilized on the 7 originals and the covers of Herb Alpert, the Shadows, and the Dead Kennedys. Reverb? You're soaking in it!

New Gandy Dancer
 Davy Peckett
Very strong opener in Annabelle Lee from one of NGS's favourite bands and follows up their well intentioned Ocean Is Not For Cowards. All super surf dripping originalswith the exception of South of the Border, Apache and the Dead Kennedys' Moon Over Marin. Quite an aggressive sound in parts, rather than their gentler side, apart from a surprizingly gentle Apache. Gutsy guitars alonside surf/exotica and as always, Pollo Del Mar are worth listening to. Good live too as NGD's live report later in this issue. Pollo Del Mar shine again.


Instrumental Rock and Roll Reviews
Kirk Schon
Pollo Del Mar - The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Ferenc and company follow up The Ocean is not for Cowards with this, their newest cd, and like their previous effort, they manage to create a mood that evokes the surging tides and swelling breakers of their native San Francisco. Expanding upon the trad surf milieu without ever slipping into excess, with haunting melodies and silibant rythms, they ease from one track to the next without ever losing the essence of space, light, and the eternal sea. Their unique tone, excellent production, and seamless sonic interplay could serve as the prototype for any band aspiring to play instrumental or surf music. This superb album should be in every insto and surf fan's collection.