El Ray – Highwave To Hell: 23 Golden Hits 2001-2006 (Green Cookie)
El Ray have been one of my favorite bands for a long time (I guess, given the album title, since 2001). This Copenhagen based combo have a hard driving, powerful sound that rides the fine line between trad and modern surf/instro rock. This disc collects 23 of their best songs from all five of their vinyl and CD releases, including their recent Holiday On Ice 10” released last year. Most of the songs are originals, except “Casbah”, “Too Drunk To Fuck” and “El Ray”. It’s also got a booklet with more than 4-panels (rare in the surf biz) filled with photos and info about each song. They’ve signed with a bigger label, White Out Music, so this wraps up the first chapter in their great run towards surf supremacy.Tracks: Circus Monkey - Casbah - The Spider - The Plan - Spacecar 2001 - The Cashier - Jack the Samurai (defeats all evil) - Enter Skolastik - The Agent vs. the Next Mexican - Hynotic - The Danger of TV Radiation - Car Hire from Hell - From Kazakstan with Love - Carlos - Chainsaw Boogie - El Coyote - The Paratrooper - The Man with the White Tie - Volcano - White Trash Caravan - Too Drunk to Fuck - Tornado (demo version) - El Ray (demo version)