What is Entropy?

Langhorns: Self Titled

1998, Bad Taste Records

 

Sweden isn't particularly renowned for its surf culture. However, the Langhorns (the three lads pictured above) don't care, and recorded their 1998 self-titled with Hawaiian shirts and surfs.

Of course, their dedication to surf doesn't stop at the aesthetics of their cover art. Tremolo picking, heavy reverb and sweet overdrive characterize the inspired blues and Hispanic-influenced licks that compose these instrumentals. For those of you familiar with the Shadows, the Ventures, Dick Dale and other Surfaris, this will be known territory. For the others, don't worry, you might actually enjoy this more.

Indeed, there isn't much crazy innovation on this record, but that's not really a problem. It's high quality surf, with guitars going from jangly to reverby and every tremolo in between, a motivated rhythm section (heavy on the rockabilly references - check out contemporary band Reverend Horton Heat if that interests you), as well as the occasional but notable brass instruments. 

In fact, it's probably better than most surf bands past and present, as they go from uptempo tremolo-picking heavy tunes to mellower "under the summer sun at the beach" moments quite masterfully. Melodies on "The Quiet Surf" or "Penetration" feel just like a fresh breeze on a sunny day, while "Tierra Del Fuego" or "Knuckleduster" will fuel the most epic beach volley games. A few minutes of oceanside life sounds at the end of "The Eternal Wave" even made me want to go the beach even though I hate sand, shorts and salt water...

Where other recent bands like The Mummies, Man Or Astro-Man, or Los Straitjackets rely on crazy costumes (I'll let you guess what it is for each) and a variety of fresh, exotic influences to make their version of modern surf music more innovative, the Langhorns actually took what surf music came from - Rockabilly/Rock'n'Roll/whatever you want to call it - and reinjected in what they had learned from Dale & Co. Add that to a genuine talent for composition, and you get the best surf music album of the past 20 years (if not of all time).

Allmusic Langhorns page (no review)
Malumbada's interesting point of view
Langhorns Myspace

No, seriously: what is entropy? Could someone explain it to me, please? It has never made sense. 

JNCT

...