Album Review:

Here is the first installment of the Del-Fi ‘Hot Rod Trilogy’ as I like to call it. Other installments were Hollywood Drag by the Darts and Hotrodders’ Choice’ by The Deuce Coupes. All three albums were performed and created by the same group of musicians (comprised of members of Redbone and the Wrecking Crew), and all possess a unique grit and twangy sound. 

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‘Deuces Wild’ is a brief yet powerfully groovy number. ‘Taco Wagon’ is an album highlight with some phenomenal guitar playing. ‘Movin’ and Groovin’ is a lazy discotheque track that could’ve appeared on basically any 60s dance album. ‘Skin Diver’ is a solid composition, and ‘Loose Nuts’ is a take on ‘Memphis’, a fun jam. The Beach Boys' ‘Little Deuce Coupe’ gets a remake with some liberties. The title track, ‘Drag Beat,’ is a borderline maniacal whirlwind of guitar modulations and drum fills - a really great number. ‘Wheelin’ Home’ isn’t much more than a slow jam between organ and sax. Here, we find remnants of an early reverb-soaked rock n roll-styled guitar, though, which lightens up things a tad. Everything picks up again with ‘Four Banger’, which is forgivably a rewrite of the Surfaris ‘Wipe Out’ with car and garage sound effects. ‘Tequila Joe’ is a spooky little track that could’ve easily appeared on Monster Surfing Time by the Deadly Ones. ‘Rum Runner’ is a classic De-Fi track with the signature twang, and ‘Road Runner’ easily fits in with some of the best car-themed instrumentals of the period.

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With the tight musicianship of Tommy Tedesco, Plas Johnson, and Jay Migliori, Drag Beat rises above many other releases recorded in the same vein and, in turn, manages to begin one of the best album trilogies on a strong note.