You
would think any horror surf album would be necessarily campy,
but not so on the Route 66 Killers' Murder on Beaver Street,
a decidedly dark and creepy collection of melodic reverb laden
instrumental tunes. Made up of three faux Russian escaped
murderers, the Route 66 Killers demonize the sounds of Dick
Dale and add a spaghetti western vibe for that extra effect.
Although instrumental, the song titles on this album are telling
enough: Ballade of the Headless Horseman, Shallow Grave,
The Devil's Martini - something tells you this ain't
your grandparents' surf music. Plus, you have to admire any
band that can write a beach party ode to The Masque of
the Red Death. Even if the Route 66 Killers don't take
themselves too seriously, Murder on Beaver Street is as spine-chillingly
demented as a surf album gets.
