Album Review:
Davie Allen and the Arrows were a pretty standard surf group up until 1966. Notable for utilizing almost no reverb through much of 1964-1965, in 1966 Allen switched over to a fuzz pedal and never looked back. As surf music faded into obscurity during the latter half of the sixties, it evolved into heavy fuzzed-out soundtracks to low-budget biker films.
'Cycle-Delic' ('Cycledelic' on labels) is a spaced-out number with numerous feedback and scratch sound effects. The opening track filters into a sunny guitar lick before descending into a maddening frenzy of cymbals and fuzztone effects. 'Invasion' sounds very much like the soundtrack to an alien takeover with some superbly surfy guitar bends. 'Cody's Theme' is a straightforward surf theme in the style of the band's earlier clear-as-a-bell guitar sound circa 1965. Purposely harkening back to their 1966 minor hit 'Blue's Theme', 'Blue's Trip' is a sequel of sorts - updated for the mod generation. '13th Harley' is a slower, overdriven tune with some strong work from the electric bass and a beautifully executed conclusion. As with many of these tracks, pull out the overt fuzz guitar, and you've got a bona fide surf track. The inconsequentially dubbed 'Another Cycle in Detroit' is actually an updated rerecording of an instrumental on Annette Funicello's Pajama Party (which Davie Allen also played on) called 'Beach Ball.' 'Grogg's Hog' is a sweet, dare I say almost funky jam with extended drum and percussion breaks. 'Devil's Angels Theme' had been released as a single the previous year coupled with 'Cody's Theme.' 'Born Loser's Theme' had also appeared earlier on the Born Loser's Soundtrack. 'Mind Transferral' is essentially the Chantays' 'Pipeline' in a new context with as many odd effects as Allen can possibly come up with in under three minutes.
Most of the Arrows' take on drug-infused psychedelic music is pretty out there and, frankly, a bit painful on the ears the first few times around. Repeated listens, however, will reveal there's actually more here than initially meets the eye ... er, ear. I advise you to give Cycle-Delic Sounds a chance and add it to your surf/psychadelic/60s/ collection...or whatever you collect.
Cycle-Delic Sounds
Davie Allen & the Arrows
5.5
// 1968 on Tower Records (T 5094 / DT 5094)
Cycledelic / Invasion / Cody's Theme / Blue's Trip / 13th Harley /Another Cycle in Detroit / Grogg's Hog / Devil's Angels Theme / Born Losers' Theme / Mind Transferral