Pollo Del Mar - Live in Japan Town

Louisville Music News
August 2003
David Lilly

How would you like to vicariously attend a concert in California and Japan at the same time? Surf-rockers Pollo Del Mar recorded a gig in a section of San Francisco Calif., called Japan Town. Because some audiences in other countries are receptive to entertainment that America ignores, this recording makes sense. Pollo Del Mar, a band that proclaims to be taking surf-rock kicking and screaming into the 21st century, already has a following here and is interested in infiltrating oriental surf and turf. This show is a good start.

Three shadowy songs from the first two PDM albums begin the show. After the spooky "Annabelle Lee," PDM plunges into a surprizing and exceptionallywell played medley of "Baby Elephant Walk," "Music to Watch Girls By," and "Linus and Lucy." The skillwith which they segue from one song to another indicates a lot of talent, work and professionalism. Mystifying as it might seem, I can imagine Ozric Tentacles playing some of the material on this album. In particular "2314-B" and "Ubik" sound like PDM has entered Ozric territory and done so convincingly. That's a big prog surf compliment coming from me.

A cover of Led Zep's "Four Sticks," without vocals, is equally intriguing as part of another medley including "Moon Over Marin" and the rocking "Devil's Slide." Whatever you do, do not confuse PDM's "Route 666" with any other version of "Route 66" you've heard. Both songs are great, but quite different. "Route 666" has no lyrics and it cooks, as does he song after it, entitled "Insecticide." Remember Steve Garrett and Kurt Cobain? Keep listening.

Maybe you've heard the theory that most music albums have maybe two or three really good songs and the rest is filler. This CD is an exception. You are strongly encouraged to check these guys out for yourself.

Reverb Central
Phil Dirt
***** (5 stars)

Wow, what great artwork. A brilliant concept! This is a live recording that sounds as good as a studio take, but captures all the energy of the band in concert. Highly recommended!
Read entire song by song review at Reverb Central
Garage and Beat
Edwin Lechter

This is the third full length release from this San Francisco band. I read the fine print so I  can give you the skinny. It was supposed to be recorded in San Francisco's Japan town, but the venue they were shooting for went under before they got the chance so they settled for a sound stage about a mile away and went for the Japanese flavored photos and liner notes anyway. About half the material here is made up of live versions of songs that appeared on either "The Ocean Is Not For Cowards" or "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Among the other material, there is a cool medley of familiar music, "Baby Elephant Walk," "Music to Watch girls By," and "Linus and Lucy." They also do admirable takes on "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" and "Hawaii 5-0." There are 19 tracks oncluding a Japanese introductions and a song called "Ubik" which I would imagine is named after a wonderful book by Philip K. Dick.


Lance Monthly
July 2002
 Album Pick of the Month
Pollo Del Mar “Live in Japan Town”
Rating:  Five Stars *****
Keith Hannaleck

Pollo Del Mar has finally released a live album, entitled “Live In Japan Town.” I have anticipated such a release for a long time now and it’s everything I expected it would be and more. This group has always been one of the better surf-instro bands out there and continues to progress in the development of its sound. There is a common ground among the Third Wave instrumental groups in which they’re not just satisfied with playing the basic traditional surf-instro style; but rather, to reach beyond those boundaries and make their own brand of rock and surf— to offer the listener a more advanced sound that continues to evolve beyond surf. Groups like Pollo Del Mar, led by their innovative guitarist, Ferenc Dobronyi, take chances and thus are initiating a metamorphosis into a first class rock instrumental unit.

This offering is far too diverse to fall into any one classification as there are so many styles and cultures thrown into the same simmering pot of music. The end result is a fascinating and exciting sound that few groups are producing these days. Once you get pigeonholed into a genre, it’s nearly impossible to break free of that label. I am here to tell you that even though Pollo del Mar will probably always be considered a surf-instro band, the band is so much more than that. Take the time to check this CD out and you will see what I mean.

Track five, which is a medley of three songs, has some different, out of the ordinary changes going on in the songs. My first thought was what a record album or a 45 sounds like when you turn it it on when the needle has been left on the record and then you adjust the speed from 45 to 33 rpms. The result is a strange variable sound level. They somehow get it by playing at changeable speeds, and it’s really quite remarkable. I had to listen a few times to make sure it was really happening and the CD wasn't defective. Then there is the ever honorable tribute to the grand daddies of instrumental, The Ventures, with great covers of “Slaughter On Tenth Avenue,” “Hawaii 5-0,” and “The Cruel Sea.” “Ubik” and “A Flash Of Green” debut as new songs by the band, and hopefully will show up on their planned 2003 studio release. Another medley, consisting of “Four Sticks,” (a great Zep cover), “Moon Over Marin,” and "Devil’s Slide," is an awesome workout for the group featuring blazing guitars, and a tremendously power-packed percussion following along with popping, exact bass lines.

This live CD is a real Pollo Del Mar smorgasbord, including rarities, new songs, and standards on the band’s playlist from all their releases. The sound is fantastic for a live gig. In fact, you would never know that it was a live recording because of the standout musicianship and quality job they did recording the event. For anyone, who is a surf-instro nut, this CD is a must, and for anyone, who enjoys stirring rock instrumentals,this is an eye-opener.

Pollo del Mar is a very special group that has a lot to offer every instrumental music lover.


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