08/29/2025
From Colorado Instrumental Fanzine Issue 5
Music Reviews - Special Guest: Eric Cranfield of The Desolate Coast
How does a long-standing musician with a degree in ethnomusicology connect with music after 20-plus years in the scene? We asked guitarist Eric Cranfield to offer his perception of some modern surf music, and he was open to opine.
Frankie And The Pool Boys – Endless Drummer LP/CD (Self-Released / Double Crown)
This is an album that I had been looking forward to ever since Ferenc Dobronyi mentioned that something new was in the works. This 13-track album (digital and CD, with 13 tracks on the LP) lives up to its name, featuring 12 different drummers. I purposely listened to the album in its entirety before reading the one-pager that accompanied the tracks for review. I was surprised to hear that there was a new drummer for every track, as the group did an excellent job (as did their guest drummers!) of maintaining consistency throughout the album, so that such an important change did not become jarring or disconnected, but rather smooth and fitting changes that matched the songs.
Endless Drummer showcases a nice variety of influences ranging from psychedelic-inspired, garage rock, jazz, and more. I recognized a few of the songs from the last time I saw them play, which is a good sign, given that I haven't had the great fortune of seeing them play in a long, long time. The drummers featured on this record are Dusty Watson, Tony Bald, Naotaka Seki, Enrico Ragni, Jonathan Rodríguez, Pieter Dedonker, Jeremy Rexford, Lorenzo Valdambrini, Pablo Baza, Eric Ruel, and Martyn Jones. Other musicians who were guests on the album include Shane Van Dyke, Samantha Benedetti, Jonpaul Balak, Teté Orta, Bryan Manzo, and Jim Bacchi. The album is strong from start to finish, and the variety in style, tempo, and feel between the tracks keeps you engaged until the end. Some of my favorite tracks from the record are “Tattoo of a Broken Heart,” “Moorea Mon Amour,” “East of the Reverb Dial,” and “Quicksilver.”
“Tattoo of a Broken Heart” is a tune that takes me to the end of a highly stylized urban western where the hero saves the day with just their one-liners and wit. The lead guitar sounds like a nice Stratocaster through a smooth fuzz and remains lyrical throughout. I appreciate the variations in its melodies as the piece builds. The hero then leaves with their newfound love and nothing else as the melody ends in octaves for the final refrain. This track does a good job of taking you to a place with beautiful lyrical playing and leaves you wanting one more time through its catchy melody. The short but sweet “Moorea Mon Amour” follows “Tattoo of a Broken Heart” and immediately changes the vibe. It begins with an uneasy, descending organ part that puts you on the edge of your seat before the driven lead guitar comes with the melody to solidify the beautiful discomfort. The bridge offers a brief respite of hope in its major beginning, but quickly takes you back to the track’s conclusion. “East of the Reverb Dial” reminds me of the Argentine group Bajofondo, which took elements of different genres and blended them with tango. I love whatever patch is being used on the keyboard (I couldn’t tell if it is an accordion patch or another that gives that impression). The quick touch on the keys, combined with delay, panning, and effects, tells the listener that tonally, this will be a departure from the other tracks on the already eclectic album. The sparse percussion and smooth groove on the bass allow you to indulge in the mood that reminds me of sitting at a cafe window and watching the rain. This is probably my favorite piece on the whole album. In “Quicksilver”, I am taken back to listening to Pollo Del Mar as a teenager starting my musical journey. It is the one that evokes those tonal qualities in me the most out of the 15 tracks. I recognize that, deep down, there are elements in all the pieces that could take me there, while also acknowledging the differences that veer this one away from that part of the group’s legacy. For me, it brought some of the almost anthemic refrains and ethereal build-ups that I love about both Pollo Del Mar and Frankie and the Pool Boys. The strings patch on the keys only helped build the song’s triumphant conclusion.
In all, the album is great from beginning to end. I could have written about every one of the pieces. It also grew on me as I continued to listen to it. I appreciate the cover of “Walk Away Renee” and the vocal track, which are also included in the CD and digital versions. Frankie and the Pool Boys did an excellent job of achieving the concept of having an “endless” number of drummers appear on one record without feeling that way to the listener. They need to return to Seattle to promote it again.
The vinyl is available at: https://frankieandthepoolboys.bandcamp.com/album/endless-drummer
The CD is available at: https://www.doublecrownrecords.com/frankie-the-pool-boys-endless-drummer-cd/
More info about Colorado Instrumental Fanzine: https://coloradoinstrumentalfanzine.bandcamp.com/
