Yeah yeah, the surf music resurgence. I think it’s over already, until you hear this record by Italy’s The Introducers, formerly named Braccobaldos. Part surf, part garage, part spaghetti western, this record is a breath of fresh air and immediately engrossingly fun. It’s mostly instrumental, and when it isn’t, the vocals are usually a punctuation mark for a chorus or some mumbled drawling narration. The energy and fun level on Close Ups makes you want to get in the pit and wiggle your ass like go-go dancing reject from Clam Bake. This isn’t surf music punked up like Agent Orange covers, but more true to the original style garage-era genre. The Introducers are the promise of everything that could have happened with garage surf bands. There are also slower songs, and even an odd sampling of the Big Boys’ Tim Kerr and lending his Texan accent to the wagon train.  If you’re a fan of fun rock and roll, do yourself a favor and check out the Introducers. They have the style, the attitude, a sense of humor, and good hearts. Just looking at these clean cut ruffians is enough to make your mom want to tussle up their hair and invite them in for meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and a cold glass of milk. Oh you boys and your rock and roll! Come in and eat, you’re too skinny! How’s that?

Stop The Future  ends with a super nu-wavy balad “Toys” that lets you get your Ultravox / 16 candles groove on. Again, some critics have complained, but WTF? It’s a good song so choke on it!  They might very well be the next band that gets mainstream huge that you will eventually get sick of hearing about. Roxy will end up in People magazine with her own line of fashion accessories and you’ll hear about how the band members are sick of Geffen trying to promote the band as Roxy and the Epoxies. Then they’ll come out with their hip hop crossover album… Har har. In the meantime we can only wish their bank accounts that well and keep on enjoying their fine recorded efforts.  Can someone please tell me why the Epoxies still aren’t listed on the Fat web site?

Online Action: www.introducers.net
Online Action: www.slovenly.com

Reviewer: Kilwag